Cloud Storage
Object Storage
object storage for research data
Secure European Research with Sovereign Object Storage
Research projects generate massive datasets, but managing them under strict EU regulations creates significant cost and compliance challenges. A new approach to object storage for research data offers a sovereign, predictable, and secure solution designed for the European research area.
The topic briefly and concisely
Sovereign object storage in EU-only data centers is essential for research institutions to comply with GDPR, NIS-2, and data residency requirements.
A predictable pricing model with no egress or API fees eliminates budget uncertainty for grant-funded research projects.
Full S3-API compatibility and an 'Always-Hot' architecture ensure research tools work seamlessly while all data remains instantly accessible.
European research generates petabytes of valuable data, forming the bedrock of innovation. Yet, this asset comes with immense responsibility. Navigating the complex web of EU regulations—from GDPR to the upcoming NIS-2 Directive—while managing unpredictable storage costs presents a formidable challenge for research institutions. Traditional storage solutions often create budget overruns and expose sensitive information to non-EU legal jurisdictions. This article outlines a modern strategy using sovereign object storage for research data, ensuring compliance, cost predictability, and data integrity across the entire research lifecycle.
Meet the Regulatory Demands for Research Data
EU research projects operate under at least three major data governance frameworks. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies to any scientific research using personal data, impacting countless studies. Horizon Europe projects must manage data according to FAIR principles, making it Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable. This mandate requires a robust and compliant cloud data management platform.
The NIS-2 Directive further classifies many research institutions as critical infrastructure, adding new cybersecurity obligations by October 2024. Non-compliance can lead to fines of up to €10 million or 2% of turnover. These overlapping requirements demand a storage foundation built specifically for EU legal and security standards. This new reality makes sovereign infrastructure a prerequisite, not an option.
Establish Digital Sovereignty to Protect Research Integrity
Digital sovereignty is the ability to control your data independently, free from foreign laws like the US CLOUD Act. Storing data outside the EU exposes it to external legal access, a risk over 90% of EU decision-makers want to avoid. Our GDPR-compliant storage operates exclusively in certified European data centers, ensuring your data's legal jurisdiction never leaves the EU.
We provide country-level geofencing to meet specific national or project-based data residency rules. This guarantees that 100% of your data remains within your chosen EU region. This architectural choice is the only way to provide true legal certainty for sensitive research datasets. It forms the basis for building a secure and compliant data ecosystem.
Utilize Enterprise-Grade Architecture for Complex Workloads
Modern research requires more than just storage; it needs high-performance, accessible infrastructure. Our platform offers 100% S3-API compatibility, ensuring your existing applications, scripts, and pipelines continue to work without any code rewrites. This protects your past investments in tools and training, minimizing migration friction to zero.
We employ an “Always-Hot” object storage model, making all data immediately accessible without tier-restore delays of hours or days. This single-tier approach reduces operational complexity by 100% compared to tiered models. Key features for research teams include:
Advanced identity management with SAML/OIDC for secure integration with institutional directories.
Granular, role-driven policies via IAM, including support for time-bounded access and presigned URLs.
Built-in object versioning and lifecycle management to protect against accidental deletion or corruption.
Immutable Storage with Object Lock for audit-ready retention and ransomware defense.
These capabilities provide the performance and security needed to handle millions of small files or massive analytical workloads with predictable latencies.
Achieve Cost Predictability for Grant-Funded Projects
Research grants operate on fixed budgets, making unpredictable cloud bills a significant risk. Our pricing model is predictable by design, with zero egress fees, zero API call costs, and no minimum storage durations. This transparency eliminates the surprise charges that cause over 50% of cloud budget overruns elsewhere. You only pay for the storage you use, simplifying financial planning for multi-year projects.
For institutions working with IT partners, our model ensures predictable margins for Backup-as-a-Service (BaaS) and archiving solutions. We empower Managed Service Providers (MSPs) with a multi-tenant console and full automation capabilities. Through UK distributors like Northamber plc, local resellers can deliver these benefits directly to research organizations. This economic stability is essential for long-term data preservation and accessibility.
Future-Proof Your Data Against Ransomware and Lock-In
Ransomware attacks can destroy years of irreplaceable research in minutes. Our Immutable Storage, using S3 Object Lock, makes your backups unchangeable for a defined period. This provides a 100% reliable recovery point for your critical data. It is a core component of a modern data protection strategy.
The EU Data Act, applying from September 2025, mandates data portability to prevent vendor lock-in. Our platform is built on this principle, using open standards to ensure you can always move your data. A practical 3-2-1 backup strategy for research data includes:
Maintain at least 3 copies of your data.
Store the copies on 2 different media types.
Keep 1 copy off-site and immutable in a sovereign cloud.
This approach ensures your valuable research data remains secure, compliant, and fully under your control for decades to come. Talk to an expert to design your resilient data strategy today.
Additional useful links
The German Research Foundation (DFG) provides information on the principles and framework for research data management.
The European Commission outlines the EU's approach to data governance and utilization on its European Data Strategy page.
The Fraunhofer Institute details data protection and security within the field of information and communication technology.
The German Data Protection Conference (DSK) offers a document concerning data protection aspects of research data.
The National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) provides information about its work in Germany.
FAQ
How does Impossible Cloud ensure my research data is protected from ransomware?
We provide Immutable Storage using S3 Object Lock. This feature allows you to make your research data and backups unchangeable and undeletable for a specified period, creating a secure copy that ransomware cannot encrypt, ensuring you can always restore your work.
What does 'Always-Hot' storage mean for my research project?
Our 'Always-Hot' storage architecture means all your data is always immediately accessible at the highest performance tier. Unlike tiered systems that move data to slower, cheaper 'cold' storage, you never experience delays or pay extra fees to retrieve archived data, which is critical for active research.
Is your platform suitable for multi-institutional European research projects?
Absolutely. Our platform is designed for collaboration. With geofenced storage in certified EU data centers, granular access controls via IAM, and support for federated identity (SAML/OIDC), you can securely share data with partners across Europe while meeting all compliance and data residency requirements.
How does your solution align with the upcoming EU Data Act?
The EU Data Act mandates data portability to prevent vendor lock-in. Our service is built on open standards like the S3 API, ensuring you can always access and move your data. We provide a practical exit path by design, aligning perfectly with the Act's goal of giving users full control over their data.
What kind of support can I expect when migrating my research data?
We offer expert support to ensure a smooth migration. Because our platform is fully S3-compatible, you can use standard industry tools and scripts to move your data. Our team can provide guidance on best practices for a seamless transition with zero downtime for your research activities.
How does your partner program support research institutions?
We work with a network of Managed Service Providers and distributors, like Northamber plc in the UK, who can provide localized support, integration services, and managed backup and archiving solutions. This allows research institutions to procure and manage their storage through trusted, local IT partners.
