Many organizations consciously choose to store data within the EU. That is understandable. European regulations such as the GDPR set clear requirements for the processing of personal data. However, "hosted in Europe" is not always the same as "organized within Europe." That difference is becoming increasingly relevant when choosing a cloud solution.
Data storage within the EU is one layer
Major international cloud providers have data centers within the European Union. This means that data can be physically stored in Europe. For many applications, this is an important step. The location of data storage plays a role in compliance, risk assessment, and internal policy frameworks. However, physical location is not the only factor.
The cloud provider itself also counts
In addition to the location of data centers, organizations are increasingly looking at the legal position of the cloud provider.
What legislation does the provider fall under?
Where is the parent company located?
What national legislation may apply to the organization?
Even when data is stored in European data centers, the cloud provider may be part of an international organization outside the EU. In that case, legislation other than European legislation may also be relevant. This distinction is very important for organizations that consciously choose a European cloud provider.
Why this is relevant for secure emailing
Solutions for secure email and file sharing often process sensitive information. Think of personal data, contracts, or confidential business documents. Such applications are not only about encryption or technical security, but also about the infrastructure on which the solution is hosted.
Is the solution hosted within the EU?
And does the cloud provider itself operate under European law?
More and more organizations are explicitly including these questions in their selection process.
Choosing a European cloud provider
FileCap already operated with data storage within the EU. The infrastructure was housed in European data centers. With the switch to Scaleway, the cloud provider itself is now also a European provider. This means that FileCap's entire infrastructure is managed within Europe and under European law.
For users, nothing will change in terms of functionality or security level. The change is at the infrastructure level.
European cloud as a conscious choice
The choice between an international cloud provider with data centers in Europe and a European cloud provider is not just a technical discussion. It is a consideration of location, jurisdiction, and risk profile. For some organizations, data storage within the EU is sufficient. For other organizations, the legal structure of the cloud provider is also an explicit requirement. Those who want to send emails and share files securely therefore look not only at features, but also at where and under which legislation the cloud infrastructure is organized.
