SAP launches sovereign cloud service for UK customers
SAP has unveiled its new sovereign cloud service in the UK, offering public sector organizations and highly regulated industries a secure way to process data entirely within the country’s borders.
The service, now fully operational, aims to meet stringent data residency, security, and compliance standards. It is particularly targeted at industries such as aerospace, defense, government, energy, and critical national infrastructure, SAP announced in a statement.
Comprehensive cloud offerings
The sovereign cloud service includes a suite of SAP products, such as SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud Edition, SAP SuccessFactors HCM, SAP Business Technology Platform, and SAP Analytics Cloud. This launch builds on SAP’s 2021 investment in the UK and reflects increasing demand for sovereign cloud solutions that ensure localized security and compliance.
“In today’s complex global environment, it is vital for our customers to understand that their data, as well as our solutions and services, are secure,” said Leila Romane, managing director of SAP UK & Ireland. “Sovereignty is essential in protecting against unlawful data access, ensuring compliance, and mitigating risk.”
A growing market trend
SAP’s announcement comes as demand for sovereign cloud services surges in the UK and Europe, driven by stricter regulatory compliance requirements and concerns over cross-border data access. Sovereign cloud services ensure that data remains entirely within a specific region, mitigating risks of external access and meeting local processing regulations.
Other major tech firms have made similar moves. Oracle launched a dedicated sovereign cloud region in Europe in 2023, predicting high demand from governments worldwide. Microsoft has also rolled out data residency plans across Europe, while Rackspace and Scottish provider DataVita have introduced sovereign cloud solutions targeting UK public sector customers.
According to the experts, sovereign capabilities are now the “bare minimum” for cloud providers serving customers in Europe. “Sovereign cloud offerings are no longer a niche — they’re a necessity,” said one analyst.
