BSI Supports AWS in Building A Sovereign EU Cloud

Cybersecurity & Cloud Infrastructure BSI Supports AWS in Building A Sovereign EU Cloud

2026-01-19 Source: Press release | Translated by AI 1 min Reading Time

With the recently launched AWS European Sovereign Cloud, Amazon Web Services intends to establish a cloud infrastructure for Europe that is independent of the global AWS instance. The BSI is supporting the development with regard to security and sovereignty features.

Amazon Web Services is working on building a sovereign cloud for the EU, the European Sovereign Cloud.(Image: Dall-E / AI-generated) — Amazon Web Services is working on building a sovereign cloud for the EU, the European Sovereign Cloud.
(Image: Dall-E / AI-generated)

In mid-January 2026, Amazon Web Services (AWS) gave the go-ahead for a new, fully EU-localized cloud infrastructure: the AWS European Sovereign Cloud (ESC). The cloud service, which is physically and logically separate from the global AWS structure, is designed to enable companies, authorities and organizations in Europe to use AWS cloud and AI technologies while ensuring maximum compliance with data protection, control and digital sovereignty requirements. The German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) is supporting the development in an advisory capacity and will evaluate the implementation of central security and control measures.

Strict Requirements for Operation, Control And Personnel

According to BSI President Claudia Plattner, the focus is on two goals: strengthening the European cloud market and adapting global offerings to European sovereignty standards. The AWS ESC is an example of the latter. "As Germany's cyber security authority, we are delighted to be able to contribute to its conception," said Plattner. The BSI will closely monitor the technical implementation of the sovereignty features.

The requirements include:

Separate technical infrastructure: completely decoupled from the global AWS instance
Independent operation by EU personnel: including update management, maintenance and security patches
Technical control mechanisms: Protection against data outflow, external control or shutdown (kill switch)
Strict update and access controls

Next Steps: Evaluation And Sovereignty Criteria

In the coming months, the BSI intends to assess the extent to which AWS implements the required sovereignty measures. At the same time, the authority is working on the publication of general sovereignty criteria based on the EU Cloud Sovereignty Framework. In future, these are to serve as an assessment basis for the procurement and certification of cloud solutions in Europe. (sb)

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