Achieving Data Sovereignty in the Cloud – with eperi® sEcure
Data Sovereignty in the Cloud – How to Regain Control
Cloud platforms like Microsoft 365, AWS, or Google Workspace offer flexibility, scalability, and innovation speed. Yet they raise a central question: Who controls sensitive enterprise data – and when?
This is the focus of this edition of our Cybersecurity Academy as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Data sovereignty goes beyond choosing a data center location. It is the technical, legal, and organizational ability to independently and securely control data – even in public cloud environments.
What Does Data Sovereignty Really Mean
Data sovereignty describes the ability to maintain full control over the storage, processing, and protection of your data – regardless of the chosen cloud provider or storage location.
It encompasses three levels:
- Technical control: client-side encryption, dedicated key management, visibility control
- Legal control: GDPR compliance, protection from access by foreign authorities (e.g., US CLOUD Act)
- Organizational control: role-based concepts, access management, audit capabilities
Digital sovereignty is the strategic goal: operating IT infrastructure and data assets independently, lawfully, and efficiently – even in outsourced cloud or SaaS models.
Common Misconceptions About Data Sovereignty – and What Really Matters
Myth 1: EU Servers = Full Security
Many providers promote “EU Data Residency” or “EU Boundary” solutions. But:
- US-based cloud providers like Microsoft or AWS remain subject to the US CLOUD Act
- Authorities can access stored data regardless of its physical location
- Storage location alone does not prevent third-party access
Conclusion: Physical location does not protect against extraterritorial access rights.
Myth 2: BYOK = Full Control
“Bring Your Own Key” is often marketed as a guarantee of data sovereignty. However:
- Keys are still used within the cloud environment
- Decryption happens under the cloud provider’s control
- Transparency over key access is often lacking
True key ownership means:
- The cloud never sees plaintext data
- Keys remain exclusively within the company
- Encryption and decryption occur outside the provider’s infrastructure
eperi® sEcure: The Technology Foundation for True Data Sovereignty
eperi® sEcure acts as a security layer in front of the cloud, encrypting data before it reaches the provider – selectively, transparently, and without losing application functionality.
Core features:
- Selective field-level encryption: securing sensitive data such as names, IBANs, or customer IDs
- Client-side plaintext protection: no visibility for SaaS admins or cloud providers
- Independent key management: all keys remain under the company’s control
Compatible with: Microsoft 365, Salesforce, ServiceNow, HubSpot, and many more
Regulatory Compliance – Globally Applicable
eperi® sEcure helps organizations meet leading international standards for data sovereignty, processing security, and data protection:
- GDPR – EU General Data Protection Regulation
- NIS2 – EU Directive on cybersecurity resilience of critical infrastructures
- BaFin regulations – incl. DORA, for financial & insurance companies
- HIPAA – data privacy requirements in healthcare
- ISO/IEC 27001 – information security management
- PII/PCI-DSS – requirements for personal and payment data
FAQ: Data Sovereignty Explained Simply
What is the difference between data ownership and data sovereignty?
Data ownership refers to formal responsibility. Data sovereignty means the practical ability to exercise technical and legal control – regardless of the cloud model.
How does eperi® sEcure protect against the CLOUD Act?
Through client-side encryption, US cloud providers never see plaintext data. Even under court orders, sensitive content remains inaccessible.
What does key ownership mean in practice?
Companies retain all cryptographic keys – management, usage, and storage occur outside the cloud.
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Knowledge that protects – your next step toward greater data security
On our download page, you will find free white papers and fact sheets on data protection, data encryption, and compliance – specifically for IT managers and decision-makers.
Get concise knowledge, strategic recommendations, and practical tips to effectively protect your data and securely comply with regulatory requirements such as GDPR, NIS2, and DORA.
