“The Real Challenge Lies in Moving from Strategy to Execution”: Ankercloud Drives Sovereign Cloud Adoption in Europe

Digital transformation is making steady progress in Europe, driven by a combination of operational needs, regulatory pressures, and technological advances. In sectors like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, the cloud has become critical infrastructure—but not without conditions: data sovereignty and regulatory compliance are now key factors in technology decisions.

“The main drivers of cloud adoption in Europe are the urgent need for digital transformation, operational agility, and the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time analytics,” says Judith Evers, Managing Director of Ankercloud, a consulting and cloud migration firm.

In a region defined by complex and evolving legislation, cloud migration is no longer just about efficiency or scalability. The need to comply with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the new EU Data Act is pushing companies to adopt sovereign solutions that ensure full control over data location and processing.

“Organizations must ensure that sensitive data remains within European jurisdictions, with strict controls over residency, processing, and cross-border transfers,” Evers explained to The Daily Pulse. “This has led to a growing demand for sovereign cloud solutions that guarantee operational autonomy, regulatory compliance, and robust security—all within the legal and geographic boundaries of the EU.”

This situation poses a major challenge for large global providers, who must navigate a mosaic of national and sector-specific regulations. “Achieving full sovereignty means not only hosting data in Europe, but also ensuring that all operations, support, and governance are managed by EU-based personnel and entities—a shift that requires substantial investment and organizational transformation,” she warns.

Judith Evers, Managing Director of Ankercloud. Source: LinkedIn.

Case Study: Digital Health in the Cloud

An illustrative example of the kind of projects driving this transformation is that of Vitagroup AG, a German health tech company, which moved its platform to AWS cloud with support from Ankercloud. “This project addressed several key sector drivers: it improved scalability and operational efficiency, reduced overall costs, and ensured full compliance with strict German healthcare regulations,” Evers details.

“The result was a future-ready platform that not only met business needs but also set a new benchmark for compliance and security in digital health,” she added.

Such cases are not isolated. In the educational and scientific sectors, Ankercloud has worked with the Fraunhofer Institute and the University of Erlangen to enable AI workloads and high-performance computing (HPC) environments while meeting strict data residency requirements.

In manufacturing, projects range from AI-based predictive maintenance to automation of product design processes.

Cloud Sovereignty: What’s Next

In Q4 of this year, AWS is expected to launch the European Sovereign Cloud (ESC)—an initiative specifically tailored to the European context. Ankercloud is involved as a launch partner and has developed a specialized service to prepare companies: the ESC Readiness Assessment.

“This service is designed to help organizations assess and prepare for migration to the ESC, ensuring alignment with the latest data protection and sovereignty requirements,” says Evers. “The assessment covers infrastructure, data management, security, operational readiness, and business needs, offering a clear migration roadmap and a compliance gap analysis.”

Interest, she notes, is especially strong in regulated sectors such as financial services, healthcare, and public administration. “By combining deep regulatory expertise with hands-on migration support, we help European companies mitigate compliance risks, reduce exposure to geopolitical uncertainties, and gain competitive advantages by adopting sovereign cloud capabilities from the outset.”

Hybrid, Local, and Agile

Another key factor in this evolution is the growing importance of hybrid cloud and edge computing, especially for mid-sized businesses or those with regional footprints.

“Edge computing and hybrid cloud are essential enablers of digital transformation in Europe, particularly for mid-market businesses and regional markets that require flexibility, data sovereignty, and rapid innovation,” says Evers.

But she clarifies that it’s not just about strategy: “The real challenge lies in moving from strategy to execution. Our approach is pragmatic and hands-on: we assess the existing IT environment, regulatory requirements, and business goals, then design and implement secure, productive hybrid environments tailored to each need.”

Another key factor in this evolution is the growing importance of hybrid cloud and edge computing. Source: Pixabay.

Security by Design

Cloud migration also raises major cybersecurity concerns. According to Evers, the most common fears among European companies include the risk of data breaches, regulatory non-compliance (such as with the GDPR), and the complexity of managing security in hybrid or multi-cloud environments.

“There’s also increased focus on securing APIs, mitigating insider threats, and ensuring business continuity in the face of evolving cyber risks,” she notes.

The key, says Evers, is not to treat security as an afterthought. “At Ankercloud, we address these concerns not just through advisory services, but by integrating best practices in compliance and security into every project we deliver,” she states. “We apply industry standards and proven frameworks from the design phase through to continuous operation. This approach gives our clients the confidence that their cloud environments are resilient, secure, and fully aligned with European compliance requirements.”

Technology and Regulation: Can They Coexist?

In a market as demanding as Europe, the ability to adapt quickly is no longer enough—technological excellence must go hand in hand with a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape. And that balance, according to Evers, is what will make the difference.

“Europe doesn’t always lead in speed of adoption, but it does lead in rigor. That’s why our strategy is clear: we combine technological excellence with a proactive, compliance-first mindset,” she concludes.