BSI Proposes Cloud Sovereignty Criteria for EU Services

The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) in Germany has released a proposal outlining criteria for assessing the sovereignty risks associated with cloud services. This initiative, known as "Criteria Enabling Cloud Computing Autonomy" (C3A), seeks to provide users with a clearer framework for determining whether a cloud solution meets their specific sovereignty requirements. This comes amid ongoing debates about the risks posed by reliance on non-European cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, Alibaba, and Huawei, particularly for sensitive public sector applications.

With the introduction of these criteria, the BSI aims to steer discussions toward concrete technical solutions rather than prolonged political debate over provider independence. This move aligns with the upcoming Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA) set for proposal by the European Commission, seeking to establish safer, more autonomous cloud services within the EU. By solidifying technical parameters, the BSI hopes to enhance security measures and reduce reliance on foreign cloud infrastructures, thereby contributing to greater data sovereignty in Europe.