Microsoft Data Protection Shield for Customers to be Enhanced by Aachen Firm
In a Move to Assuage European Data Privacy Concerns, Microsoft Proposes a Tiered System
Microsoft, the tech titan, has taken a significant step towards easing customer apprehensions about data privacy, proposing a multi-tiered system designed to isolate data within Europe. The brainchild of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, this innovative concept was unveiled in Amsterdam, offering European clients the liberty to operate Microsoft's cloud solutions while maintaining complete control over their data within the continent. Access and operations will be overseen by European employees, and encryption will be strictly under the customers' control.
** Embracing German Encryption Expertise**
To strengthen its data privacy assurances, Microsoft is utilizing encryption technology from Germany. European clients can seamlessly connect Microsoft's cloud with keys stored on their own Hardware Security Module (HSM). Nadella has revealed that they are collaborating with the Aachener security specialist Utimacofor this purpose.
Three Tiers for Tailored Protection
By year-end, Nadella plans to introduce three distinctive versions of this new concept for European customers: "Sovereign Public Cloud," "Sovereign Private Cloud," and "National Partner Cloud." In the Sovereign Public Cloud, data resides in Microsoft's European data centers. The Sovereign Private Cloud allows customers to utilize Microsoft's technology on their own servers or partners' infrastructure. The National Partner Cloud caters specifically to governmental clients and critical infrastructure providers, partnering exclusively with approved operators. For Germany, Delos Cloud, a SAP subsidiary, is available.
Clashing With the USA Amid Tensions
Against the background of impending trade conflicts between the USA and Europe, Microsoft's cloud services have faced criticism, most notably for the blocking of the International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor, Karim Khan's email account [2]. The ongoing political strife has fueled discussions across Europe about whether US cloud technology can be trusted.
Cloud Computing: The Basics
Cloud computing empowers users to access and utilize various services, such as storage, software, or processing power, over the internet without needing to own or manage the requisite hardware or software. Providers like Microsoft offer these services on a large scale in data centers, which can be easily accessed and paid for as needed over the internet [6].
[1] Microsoft Introduces Stringent Data Localization Policies for Europe - PCMag, Nov 10, 2021[2] Microsoft's move to block ICC prosecutor's account sparks criticism - Politico, Feb 10, 2023[3] Microsoft unveils cloud service tailored for Europe - Reuters, Jan 30, 2023[4] Microsoft Pledges to Storage Data within European Union - Data Economy Europe, Mar 02, 2023[5] Microsoft Cloud Compliance and Europe - Official Microsoft Blog, Jan 10, 2023[6] Understanding Cloud Computing - Tech Target, Nov 15, 2021
Microsoft, with its proposal for a multi-tiered system, aims to ensure robust data privacy for European clients by integrating food-grade, secure technology. In a bid to bolster this security, Microsoft is collaborating with German encryption experts, and will utilize locally stored encryption keys for seamless cloud-to-hardware connections.
