Many Dutch organizations place their applications and data in the cloud. Well-known platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud are popular among companies and institutions due to their flexibility and scalability. As a managed hoster, we are happy to explain concretely why the use of sovereign cloud solutions is so important for organizations that are critical of compliance and security.
Much Dutch data is in American clouds
Research by NOS (2026) shows that the Netherlands stores a lot of information on servers of American companies, mainly involving Dutch governments, healthcare institutions, schools, and vital companies, including NOS itself. Of the 16,500 domain names, 67% are linked to at least one American cloud service.
Cloud data
Many Dutch organizations use cloud services to host their business-critical applications and data. Often, an external cloud provider is used for this purpose. For example, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS provide infrastructures, also within Europe. Even though these are located in Europe, the management processes and, in some cases, data on these infrastructures may be subject to foreign laws and regulations. This means, for example, that the American government could gain access to business-critical or privacy-sensitive data, processes, and applications.
As an organization, you are responsible for securing sensitive data, complying with GDPR and NIS2, and protecting against unauthorized access or interference by foreign governments.
What is Sovereign Cloud?
The sovereign cloud is an environment in which data, infrastructure, and management fall under European law. Your data is physically in Europe and legally protected; this also applies to contracts and other management processes, which must all comply with European standards. It gives organizations the assurance that no legal interference can occur from, for example, foreign governments.
With a sovereign cloud, you maintain full control over data, access, and management. Due to the limited dependence on foreign legislation, compliance risks are reduced, and local EU or Dutch support is possible.
Why is sovereign cloud so important?
The Netherlands wants to be less dependent on foreign governments. Sovereign cloud plays an important role in this and is particularly relevant for organizations with strict compliance requirements regarding privacy and digital resilience. Think, for example, of governments, municipalities, healthcare and educational institutions, and financial institutions, but sovereignty is also important for other organizations.
Dutch Parliament wants to accelerate a Dutch Cloud
The Dutch Parliament and the Dutch ‘tech world’ are concerned about dependence on American cloud services and want to accelerate Dutch, sovereign cloud alternatives. Geopolitical developments can have significant consequences for the continuity of processes of Dutch organizations or the confidentiality of sensitive information or data. There is consensus that dependence on, among others, the United States must be reduced.
What does this mean for Shock Media customers?
As a managed hoster focused on security, we see more and more organizations consciously choosing control over their data and IT environment and making a deliberate choice for data sovereignty. For everyone who does not want to depend on cloud services in the United States, alternatives are possible. Shock Media’s cloud services are housed in Dutch data centers and fully managed by experienced Dutch administrators. There are also no foreign dependencies or applicable laws and regulations.
Our advantages:
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Your data stays in the Netherlands, under European law
Our private cloud and hosting solutions run in high-quality Dutch data centers. This means that data physically remains in the Netherlands and falls under European law. Privacy, compliance, and control are therefore guaranteed. As an organization, you are legally well-protected. -
More than 25 years of expertise and 24/7 support
Shock Media has over 25 years of hosting expertise for business-critical environments. We have an experienced team of Linux specialists. With us, you are assured of short lines of communication and clear communication. Our support engineers are available day and night to help you with problems. -
Full control and transparency, fewer legal and compliance risks
You retain insight into where your data is, who has access, and how management processes are organized. Access and authorization rules are clear and verifiable. -
24/7 security and monitoring
Our environments are continuously monitored. Incidents are followed up immediately, systems are actively maintained, and security updates are applied in a timely manner.
Certified for maximum safety & quality
Shock Media meets several international standards that prove our processes and systems meet the highest requirements. We also work according to the HAVEN standard. This standard was developed to support organizations in structurally complying with laws and regulations regarding information security, continuity, and compliance.
In addition, we are ISO 27001, NEN 7510, and ISO 9001 certified and have extensive SOC 2 type 2 and ISAE 3402 type 2 assurance reports. This allows us to demonstrate that our processes, security measures, and controls are structurally implemented and periodically tested.
Shock Media is ready for you!
Do you want help finding a cloud solution that best fits your organization? Contact us. We are happy to assist you!
