By Alice Chambers |
Microsoft is helping European organisations have more control over their data and how it’s managed in the cloud with a range of new tools and services, as part of its commitment to helping customers across Europe.
The updates will give Microsoft customers more flexibility and reassurance, including new options for both public and both private cloud use. These include Data Guardian, External Key Management and Microsoft 365 Local.
Data Guardian makes sure that only Microsoft engineers based in Europe can oversee access to customer systems. If someone outside of Europe needs access, it will be monitored and approved in real time by local staff. All activity is logged securely to ensure full transparency.
External Key Management gives customers more control over their data security by allowing them to store encryption keys either on their own hardware or through a trusted third party, rather than inside Microsoft’s cloud.
Plus, Microsoft 365 Local enables customers with strict data residency or privacy requirements to bring Microsoft 365 tools like Word, Excel and Teams into a private cloud setup that can run inside a customer’s own data centre.
To support organisations working in highly regulated sectors or public services, Microsoft has also introduced different types of Sovereign Cloud options.
Sovereign Public Cloud expands Microsoft’s existing cloud services across all European regions, designed to meet regional compliance needs. Sovereign Private Cloud allows key services like communication and collaboration tools to run in an isolated environment with tight controls, integrating Microsoft 365 Local with Microsoft security features. And National Partner Clouds are run by trusted, independent companies using Microsoft technology. For example, in France, Bleu (a joint venture between Orange and Capgemini) operates a secure “cloud of trust” for government and critical infrastructure.
Microsoft is also helping its partners build cloud solutions that meet sovereignty requirements. It has announced a new Sovereign Cloud Specialisation within the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program to help customers find partners with the right expertise. Preview partners include Accenture, Arvato Systems, Atea, Atos, Crayon, Capgemini, Dell Technologies, IBM, Inspark, Infosys, Lenovo, Leonardo, NTT Data, Orange, Telefonica and Vodafone.
“In a time of geopolitical volatility, we are committed to providing digital stability,” said Judson Althoff, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Microsoft. “With each step we take in this journey, we invite open dialogues with our customers, policymakers and regulators as we continue to innovate.”
These new capabilities reflect Microsoft’s ongoing support for Europe’s digital sovereignty, giving customers more choice, control and resilience across a trusted cloud environment.