Sovereign Cloud: New AWS governance structure and enhanced controls mark a pivotal moment.

Following our previous exploration of AWS' European Sovereign Cloud initiative, recent announcements from Amazon Web Services have significantly advanced the conversation around digital sovereignty in Europe.  Nordcloud is a launch partner for AWS European Sovereign Cloud, which is planned to launch in Brandenburg, Germany by the end of 2025. 

The unveiling of new sovereign controls and a dedicated governance structure represents not just an evolution, but a fundamental shift in how cloud services can be delivered while maintaining complete European oversight and control. 

(Picture Source: AWS Blog) 

A new era of European public cloud governance 

The establishment of a European-specific governance structure for the AWS European Sovereign Cloud marks a watershed moment in cloud computing. This isn't merely about data residency anymore – it's about creating a comprehensive framework where European entities maintain complete operational, administrative and security control over their cloud infrastructure. 

This means: 

• Controlled, operated and built in Europe 

• Strong technical controls, sovereign assurances and legal protection 

• Physically and logically separate from other AWS Regions 

• Isolated. Can run indefinitely, even if disconnected from the rest of the world 

• Enabling innovation, a full set of cloud services from the get-go 

The new governance model addresses one of the most persistent concerns among European organisations: the need for certainty that their cloud operations remain under European jurisdiction and control. By implementing a structure that’s "built, operated, controlled and secured in Europe," AWS has responded directly to the stringent requirements of European regulators and the growing demand for digital sovereignty. The technical architecture supporting these sovereign controls is equally impressive. By leveraging AWS's proven infrastructure and controls while implementing European-specific governance layers, organisations can access enterprise-grade cloud services without compromising their sovereignty requirements. 

This approach eliminates the traditional trade-off between advanced public cloud capabilities and regulatory compliance. 

Implications for European digital strategy 

These developments align with the EU's broader digital strategy and its emphasis on technological sovereignty. The new governance structure and controls provide European organisations with a clear path to cloud adoption that doesn't require compromising on regulatory requirements or data sovereignty principles. 

For organisations that have been hesitant to fully embrace cloud technologies due to sovereignty concerns, these AWS announcements represent a turning point.  

The ability to leverage AWS's comprehensive service portfolio while maintaining complete European control removes one of the most significant barriers to cloud adoption in regulated industries. This barrier is now being overcome. 

Future-proofing European cloud operations 

Perhaps most importantly, these developments position European organisations to future-proof their cloud strategies. As regulatory requirements evolve and digital sovereignty becomes increasingly important, the new governance structure and controls provide a foundation that can adapt to changing requirements without requiring fundamental architectural changes. 

The investment in European-specific infrastructure and governance demonstrates AWS's long-term commitment to the European market and its unique requirements.  

This commitment provides organisations with confidence that their sovereignty-focused cloud strategies will remain viable and supported as they scale and evolve. 

Looking towards a new chapter in European cloud computing 

The introduction of enhanced sovereign controls and dedicated European governance for the AWS European Sovereign Cloud represents more than just a product announcement or new data centre – it signals a new chapter in European cloud computing.  

By addressing sovereignty concerns at the architectural, operational and governance levels, AWS has created a framework that enables European organisations to fully embrace cloud technologies without compromising their regulatory or sovereignty requirements. 

As European organisations continue to digitise operations and embrace cloud-first strategies, these developments provide the foundation for confident, compliant and capable cloud adoption. With the AWS European Sovereign Cloud, you no longer have to choose between advanced cloud capabilities and digital sovereignty. 

The future of European cloud computing is one where sovereignty and innovation co-exist, and these latest developments from AWS demonstrate that this future is not just possible – it' will be here soon. 

Practical implementation considerations 

For organisations considering the AWS European Sovereign Cloud, the new governance structure and controls offer clear implementation pathways. And with AWS Landing Zone Accelerator and Trusted Secure Enclaves (TSE-SE), existing controls can be transferred into the AWS European Sovereign Cloud, providing immediate sovereignty benefits without requiring complete architecture overhauls. 

The European governance structure also simplifies vendor management and risk assessment processes. You can engage with AWS through European entities with European contracts and European support structures, significantly simplifying compliance and audit processes. Interestingly, a range of third-party AWS partner solutions will also be available on the European Sovereign Cloud. 

Preparing for European Sovereign Cloud: What to do now 

AWS European Sovereign Cloud is set to launch at the end of 2025, but you can start preparing now. We recommend prioritising these 3 actions: 

1. Develop a sovereignty roadmap aligned with your business objectives and requirements

2. Implement a Trusted Secure Enclave or Landing Zone Accelerator-based foundation with a clear path to the European Sovereign Cloud 

3. Train your teams on sovereignty-focused cloud operations  

How Nordcloud can help you prepare 

Nordcloud is one of the selected launch partners working with AWS on European Sovereign Cloud. We bring substantial expertise to organisations facing digital sovereignty challenges: 

• AWS Premier Tier Partner with 1,500+ AWS projects delivered 

• 1,000+ AWS certifications across our team of cloud specialists 

• Trusted Secure Enclaves Vetted Partner certified in AWS Trusted Secure Enclaves Sensitive Edition 

Our dual designation as both a TSE Vetted Partner and European Sovereign Cloud launch partner uniquely positions us to guide you through both immediate sovereignty challenges and preparation for the upcoming European Sovereign Cloud. We combine deep technical knowledge with practical implementation experience specifically in the European context. Our approach is: 

• Pragmatic: Balancing compliance requirements with business objectives 

• Future-proof: Designing solutions that evolve with regulatory landscapes 

• Business-focused: Ensuring sovereignty doesn't come at the expense of innovation 

• Experienced: Drawing on extensive work with regulated industries across Europe 

Contact me now to discuss how we can help you plan for the AWS European Sovereign Cloud and enhance your data management – while maintaining full control and compliance with evolving European regulations.