Cloud Storage
Enterprise Storage
NHS cloud storage
Achieve Sovereign NHS Cloud Storage with Predictable Costs and Zero Egress Fees
Managing NHS data requires absolute certainty on sovereignty, compliance, and cost. Storing sensitive health records with non-EU providers creates exposure to foreign laws like the CLOUD Act and unpredictable egress fees reaching thousands of pounds. A sovereign cloud platform eliminates these risks by design.
Key Takeaways
Adopt a sovereign NHS cloud storage solution to eliminate exposure to foreign laws like the U.S. CLOUD Act and ensure data is governed exclusively by UK and EU regulations.
Utilise immutable storage with S3 Object Lock to create ransomware-proof backups, protecting critical patient data from encryption and ensuring rapid recovery.
Switch to a predictable cost model with zero egress fees and no API call charges to eliminate surprise bills and reduce the total cost of ownership for NHS data.
The NHS manages over 55 million patient records, making data integrity a matter of national importance. Legacy infrastructure and budget constraints, however, create significant challenges for IT leaders. The need for a modern NHS cloud storage solution is clear, but concerns over data sovereignty, UK GDPR adherence, and spiraling costs often slow progress. A European-based, S3-compatible object storage platform offers a practical path forward. It provides the tools to ensure data remains under EU legal control, protected from ransomware, and managed with a transparent, predictable cost model that has zero egress fees or API call charges.
Establish Digital Sovereignty for NHS Patient Data
Storing NHS data outside of European legal jurisdiction introduces significant risk. The U.S. CLOUD Act allows U.S. authorities to compel access to data held by American companies, regardless of where it is stored globally. This directly conflicts with GDPR principles, which require a recognised international agreement for such data transfers. For the NHS, this creates an unacceptable compliance vulnerability, potentially exposing millions of patient records.
A sovereign cloud architecture solves this problem by design. By operating exclusively in certified European data centers, an EU-owned provider ensures that NHS data is governed solely by EU and UK law. This eliminates any exposure to the CLOUD Act. Country-level geofencing provides another layer of control, guaranteeing data stays within predefined regions to meet stringent data sovereignty requirements. This approach provides the legal certainty required for public sector workloads.
Meet UK GDPR and NIS-2 Compliance Mandates
The healthcare sector is designated as critical infrastructure under the NIS-2 Directive, mandating robust cybersecurity measures for all providers. Non-compliance can result in fines of up to €10 million or 2% of total worldwide turnover. For the NHS, this means implementing state-of-the-art security, from encryption to access controls, across its entire digital supply chain. A compliant UK GDPR storage solution is not optional.
A platform built for regulatory readiness simplifies this process. It provides the necessary technical and organisational measures to align with both GDPR and NIS-2 from day one. Key features include:
Multi-layer encryption for data in transit and at rest.
Identity and Access Management (IAM) with multi-factor authentication.
Support for external identity providers via SAML/OIDC.
Operations based in ISO 27001 certified data centers.
This foundation ensures continuous security, not as an afterthought, but as a core function. With the EU Data Act coming into force from September 20 25, proving data portability is also now a legal requirement. An S3-compatible platform with open standards ensures there is no vendor lock-in, aligning perfectly with this new regulation.
Implement Immutable Ransomware Protection
Ransomware remains a primary threat to the healthcare sector, accounting for 54% of all cybersecurity incidents in the EU. These attacks disrupt critical services for days and compromise the data of millions of patients. In 2024 alone, there were 181 confirmed ransomware attacks on healthcare providers, with an average ransom demand of $5.7 million. Proactive defence is the only viable strategy for protecting essential NHS services.
Immutable storage with S3 Object Lock is a powerful defence mechanism. It makes backup data unchangeable and undeletable for a specified period, rendering it impervious to ransomware encryption. Even if attackers breach the primary network, they cannot corrupt the backups. This “Always-Hot” object storage model ensures all data is immediately accessible for rapid recovery, avoiding the delays and hidden fees associated with tiered storage systems. This approach provides a resilient posture for storing official sensitive data and ensures business continuity.
Reduce Costs with a Predictable, Egress-Free Model
Cloud budgets in the public sector are under constant scrutiny, yet many providers use complex pricing that leads to surprise costs. Egress fees, charged for moving data out of the cloud, can add thousands of pounds to monthly bills and create vendor lock-in. A 2025 market analysis confirms that cost transparency is a primary driver for organisations seeking new cloud solutions. The NHS needs a financial model that is both affordable and predictable.
An economic model based on transparency eliminates these issues entirely. By offering storage with zero egress fees, no API call costs, and no minimum storage durations, the total cost of ownership becomes completely predictable. This allows NHS trusts and their IT partners to forecast budgets with 100% accuracy. This approach directly addresses the market's primary pain points, offering a practical and cost-effective alternative for long-term archiving, backup, and disaster recovery without financial penalties for accessing your own data.
Streamline Operations with Full S3 Compatibility
Migrating to a new cloud platform can be a significant operational hurdle, often requiring extensive code rewrites and staff retraining. For the NHS, any disruption to clinical or administrative applications is unacceptable. A key requirement for any new NHS cloud storage solution is seamless integration with existing tools and workflows. The platform must protect past IT investments and minimise migration risk.
Full S3 API compatibility ensures a smooth transition. Existing applications, scripts, and backup tools continue to work without modification. This enterprise-ready approach supports advanced S3 capabilities right out of the box. A simple migration involves these steps:
Update the endpoint URL in your existing backup software or application.
Enter the new access keys provided by the platform.
Configure bucket policies and lifecycle rules through the console or API.
Run a test backup and restore to validate the connection.
This simplicity accelerates adoption and ensures that critical systems, including those on the G-Cloud framework, remain stable. It also enables MSPs and system integrators to onboard NHS clients quickly, supported by a partner-ready console with multi-tenant management and automation tools.
Partner with UK-Based Distribution for Local Support
For MSPs and resellers serving the NHS, local access and support are critical. Navigating public sector procurement requires a partner who understands the UK market and can provide reliable, on-the-ground assistance. The 2025 channel strategy for Impossible Cloud includes a significant expansion into the UK to meet this demand. This move provides the channel with a sovereign storage solution backed by a local presence.
The partnership with UK distributor Northamber plc is a key milestone. This collaboration gives UK-based MSPs and system integrators direct access to a GDPR-compliant storage platform. It combines the benefits of predictable margins, thanks to the zero-egress-fee model, with the assurance of a local supply chain. Partners gain a competitive advantage by offering a solution that is not only technically superior for backup and archiving but also fully aligned with the NHS's sovereignty and compliance needs. To start building your sovereign cloud offering, talk to an expert today.
More Links
Handelsblatt discusses cloud data sovereignty, likely in the context of business and corporate strategies.
Gaia-X is an initiative aiming to develop a federated, secure, and transparent data infrastructure for Europe.
The UK Government provides a working paper concerning egress fees, likely related to cloud services and data transfer costs.
Wikipedia explains the concept of 'Datenhoheit', which translates to 'data sovereignty'.
Deloitte discusses digitalization in the healthcare sector.
PwC focuses on cloud transformation within health services, likely discussing business transformation through cloud adoption.
FAQ
Is this NHS cloud storage solution compliant with UK GDPR?
Yes. By operating exclusively in certified European data centers and offering country-level geofencing, the platform is designed to be fully compliant with both EU GDPR and UK GDPR. It provides the necessary technical and organisational measures to protect personal data according to these regulations.
Can I use my existing backup software with this platform?
Yes. The platform offers full S3 API compatibility, which means it works out-of-the-box with leading backup and recovery software like Veeam, Rubrik, and NovaBackup. You can continue using your existing tools without needing to rewrite scripts or applications.
What makes the pricing model predictable?
The pricing model is predictable because it eliminates common variable costs. There are no egress fees for moving data out, no charges for API requests, and no minimum storage duration requirements. You pay a transparent, flat rate for the storage you use, making budgets easy to manage.
How does this solution help with the EU Data Act?
The EU Data Act, applicable from September 2025, mandates data portability to prevent vendor lock-in. Our platform's use of the open S3 standard and our policy of zero egress fees ensure you can easily move your data to another provider at any time, aligning perfectly with the Act's requirements.
Is the storage suitable for long-term archiving of medical records?
Absolutely. The 'Always-Hot' architecture means all data, including archives, is immediately accessible without restore delays or retrieval fees. Combined with immutable storage (Object Lock), it is ideal for secure, compliant, and instantly available long-term archiving of sensitive medical records.
How can MSPs and resellers partner with Impossible Cloud in the UK?
Impossible Cloud has a distribution agreement with Northamber plc in the UK. MSPs and resellers can work with Northamber to access the platform, benefit from partner-ready features like a multi-tenant console, and offer a sovereign, predictable-cost cloud storage solution to their NHS and public sector clients.
