Cloud Storage
S3 Compatible
compliance ready object storage S3 API
Achieve Digital Sovereignty with Compliance-Ready Object Storage and the S3 API
A strong majority of EU decision-makers now demand European solutions for critical data infrastructure. Yet, many feel locked into complex contracts with non-EU providers, exposing them to compliance risks and unpredictable costs. This article details a checklist for selecting a truly sovereign, S3-compatible object storage solution.
Key Takeawys
True digital sovereignty requires object storage that is S3-compatible, operates exclusively in EU data centers, and is governed by EU law to eliminate CLOUD Act exposure.
A 'predictable by design' economic model with no egress fees, no API call costs, and no minimum storage duration is critical for eliminating budget surprises and enabling partner profitability.
Enterprise-ready platforms must be compliant with upcoming regulations like the EU Data Act and NIS-2, offering features like immutable Object Lock for ransomware defense and verified data portability.
In 2025, EU data residency is a primary criterion for IT leaders, with over 94% of enterprises now using cloud services. The challenge is finding a platform that guarantees digital sovereignty and aligns with EU regulations like GDPR, the EU Data Act, and NIS-2, without rewriting applications or facing surprise fees. True compliance-ready object storage with a full S3 API offers a practical path forward. It provides the technical parity, transparent costs, and robust security needed to migrate critical workloads confidently. This guide outlines the seven essential capabilities your storage partner must provide.
Demand S3 Compatibility That Protects Your Investments
True S3 compatibility is the baseline for any modern object storage platform, ensuring your existing tools keep working with zero code changes. It goes beyond basic operations to support advanced capabilities like versioning, lifecycle management, and event notifications across any API, CLI, or SDK. This protects your past investments in data pipelines and applications, reducing migration risk by at least 50%. Full API support ensures your backup and disaster recovery scripts function on day one. With a fully S3-compatible object storage solution, you maintain operational continuity without costly rewrites. This seamless integration is the first step toward building a resilient and sovereign data architecture.
Choose an Architecture Built for 100% Availability and Scale
An enterprise-ready architecture must deliver strong read/write consistency and predictable latencies for millions of files. Look for a provider that offers an “Always-Hot” object storage model, where 100% of data is immediately accessible without restore delays. This eliminates the operational complexity and hidden costs of fragile tiering policies, which often fail during urgent restores and cause API timeouts. This model guarantees that every object is treated as mission-critical, ready for immediate access. Multi-AZ replication is essential for data integrity under mixed workloads. An always-on approach simplifies your operations and strengthens your ransomware protection strategy by ensuring data is always recoverable.
Implement Governance That Mirrors Your Organization
Your storage platform must map to your real-world organizational structure with robust identity and access management (IAM). This requires more than just basic user accounts; it demands granular, role-driven policies and secure-by-default settings. A modern system should include:
Identity-based IAM with fine-grained, role-driven policies.
Support for external Identity Providers via SAML/OIDC for seamless integration.
Secure defaults that minimize accidental exposure from day one.
Time-bounded access controls and presigned URLs for temporary, secure sharing.
A first-class console UX is also critical, allowing teams to manage buckets, roles, and permissions without deep API expertise. This level of control is fundamental for maintaining secure object storage and simplifying compliance audits.
Ensure Security and Compliance Are Under EU Control
For true digital sovereignty, your data must be protected by EU laws and technical controls, free from foreign jurisdiction. This requires a provider that operates exclusively in certified European data centers with country-level geofencing to enforce data residency. Key security features must include multi-layer encryption (in transit and at rest) and EU-controlled key management. Immutable Storage with Object Lock is non-negotiable for an audit-ready ransomware defense. This combination provides verifiable security and aligns with GDPR requirements, giving you legal certainty and eliminating CLOUD Act exposure. This foundation of EU-centric governance is what makes an object storage solution truly compliance-ready.
Turn Regulatory Readiness into a Competitive Advantage
Proactive compliance with upcoming EU regulations separates leading providers from the rest. As of September 2025, the EU Data Act mandates data portability and interoperability by design, ensuring you have a real exit path without lock-in. A forward-looking provider builds their service to meet these rules from day one. Likewise, the NIS-2 directive requires a continuous security process, including vulnerability management and supply-chain assurance. A provider that bakes these processes into their core operations demonstrates a mature approach to security. Meeting these standards offers more than just compliance; it provides a strategic advantage in a regulated market.
Demand Predict predictable Economics and Ironclad SLAs
Cloud cost transparency is a top driver for enterprises seeking new solutions, as unexpected fees directly impact revenue. A predictable economic model with no egress fees, no API call costs, and no minimum storage durations is essential for financial planning. This transparency allows Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to build services with defensible margins. Guaranteed service-level agreements (SLAs) provide the reliability needed for business-critical inputs like backup and disaster recovery. The platform must also demonstrate scalable performance for large object sets, ensuring API stability over time. This economic clarity, combined with low-latency access from regional proximity, delivers practical value beyond just storage capacity.
Empower Partners with a Channel-Ready Platform
Start Building Your Sovereign Cloud Strategy Today
Choosing a compliance-ready object storage platform with a fully compatible S3 API is a strategic decision that strengthens your security, simplifies regulatory adherence, and eliminates unpredictable costs. By prioritizing EU-based infrastructure and a transparent economic model, you regain control over your most critical data assets. Impossible Cloud is sovereign and predictable by design, offering a practical, enterprise-ready EU alternative. To learn how our Always-Hot architecture and partner-ready platform can support your goals, talk to an expert or start a free trial. Take the first step towards a more resilient and cost-effective data strategy.
More Links
Deutschlandfunk presents an article discussing the German Federal Office for Information Security's (BSI) perspective on the current state of Germany's digital sovereignty.
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) provides a PDF document detailing aspects of the EU Cloud Code of Conduct.
A press release from TÜV Verband highlights that a majority of companies are increasingly utilizing data centers located within Europe.
The European Commission outlines the EU's comprehensive policies on cloud computing, integral to its broader digital strategy.
FAQ
What makes Impossible Cloud an 'enterprise-ready' solution?
Impossible Cloud is enterprise-ready because it offers a combination of full S3 API compatibility, an 'Always-Hot' architecture for consistent performance, robust IAM with SAML/OIDC support, and security features like Immutable Object Lock. Furthermore, it is sovereign by design, operating only in EU data centers to ensure GDPR and EU Data Act readiness.
How does Impossible Cloud support Managed Service Providers (MSPs)?
Impossible Cloud provides a partner-ready platform with a multi-tenant console, automation via API/CLI, and integrated reporting. The predictable pricing model, with no egress or API fees, allows MSPs to build profitable Backup-as-a-Service and Archiving-as-a-Service offerings with stable, defensible margins.
What is 'Always-Hot' object storage?
The 'Always-Hot' model means all data is stored in a single, high-performance tier and is immediately accessible at all times. This eliminates the complexity, delays, and surprise restore fees associated with traditional tiered storage (hot, cool, cold), simplifying operations and ensuring third-party tools and backup restores always work predictably.
Is my data geofenced with Impossible Cloud?
Yes. Impossible Cloud provides country-level geofencing, allowing you to restrict your data to predefined regions within Europe. This ensures your data stays within specific legal jurisdictions, helping you meet strict data residency requirements for regulated industries like finance and healthcare.
Can I migrate my existing data from another S3 provider?
Absolutely. Thanks to full S3 API compatibility, you can use your existing S3-native tools, scripts, and applications to migrate data to Impossible Cloud. The process is straightforward, minimizing risk and protecting your prior investments in S3-based workflows.
How does Immutable Storage (Object Lock) work?
Object Lock prevents objects from being deleted or overwritten for a fixed amount of time or indefinitely. This creates immutable backups that are a critical defense against ransomware, as malicious actors cannot encrypt or erase the protected data. It also helps meet compliance requirements for data retention.
