US cloud dominance a risk to European security — report

The Cloud Conundrum Why US Dominance in Cloud Computing Poses a Risk to 
European Security

The dominance of American cloud computing services by Microsoft, Google, Am
Amazon, and Oracle poses a significant risk to European national security. 
A recent report by the Future of Technology Institute (FOTI) reveals that m
more than three-quarters of European countries rely on US-based cloud servi
services for vital national security functions.

Postulating a Risk As the world becomes increasingly dependent on digi
digital technologies, it is essential to recognize the potential risks asso
associated with relying on a single provider or region. This underscores th
the importance of diversifying cloud computing services and promoting local
local alternatives to mitigate the impact of potential disruptions.

The report highlights that 16 out of 28 European countries are at high risk
risk of a potential US kill switch. This means that if tensions between t
the US and another country escalate, American authorities could potentially
potentially shut down or limit access to these critical cloud-based systems
systems. The implications are far-reaching, as national security systems re
rely on these services for communication, data storage, and analysis.

The Risk The CLOUD Act allows American authorities to demand that comp
companies hand over data stored abroad, even if it is encrypted. This raise
raises concerns about the protection of sensitive information and the poten
potential for data breaches. Furthermore, US sanctions could force American
American companies to cut off maintenance and security updates, leaving Eur
European countries vulnerable to cyber attacks.

A Wake-Up Call The situation has become a profound wake-up call moment
moment, prompting European governments to reevaluate their reliance on Amer
American cloud services. Some countries have already taken steps to reduce 
dependencies, such as Italy's defense ministry adopting open-source softwar
software or the Netherlands working with telecoms firm KPN and France's Tha
Thales to build its own defense cloud.

The Way Forward As we move into a circular economy in 2026, it is cruc
crucial that specialists recognize the risks associated with relying on US-
US-based cloud services. By promoting local alternatives and diversifying c
cloud computing services, European countries can mitigate the impact of pot
potential disruptions and ensure the resilience of their national security 
systems.

In conclusion, the dominance of American cloud computing services poses a s
significant risk to European national security. As we move forward, it is e
essential that we prioritize diversification, promote local alternatives, a
and recognize the importance of postulating about the potential risks assoc
associated with relying on a single provider or region.

Keywords Cloud Computing, National Security, US Dominance, Risk Assess
Assessment, Circular Economy

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.