Why digital sovereignty is the key to public sector transformation

From public sector to education, IONOS and Dataport prove trust begins with secure infrastructure.

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From registry offices and health departments to school administrations, more and more critical public services are moving to the cloud. Yet while the front-end appears modern and user-friendly, the pressing question remains: How secure, sovereign, and transparent is the technology underlying these digital services?

For the public sector, trust isn't a bonus. It's a fundamental requirement for legitimacy and social acceptance. Citizens need to be confident that their data is secure, that services function reliably, and that their local authorities act with full digital sovereignty. They must be independent, accountable, and fully compliant with European laws.

If administrative IT infrastructure comes under the control of other countries or depends on opaque technology stacks, then sovereignty is nothing more than a facade. Only when both the infrastructure and IT operations remain fully under European control can public institutions guarantee genuine digital sovereignty.

Digital sovereignty as the anchor of trust

Digital sovereignty is more than just having a datacenter somewhere in Europe. It's about full control over data, processes, technology, and standards. As Europe's leading cloud provider, IONOS offers exactly that, developed, operated, and controlled in Europe.

With 18 datacenters across the EU, IONOS not only meets the highest availability and security standards but also guarantees that data remains in the European legal space, protected from access by third countries.

IONOS is the ideal infrastructure partner for public institutions, offering:

• 100% GDPR-compliant data processing
• Certified security at the highest level, including ISO 27001, BSI C5, and IT baseline protection certifications
• Open standards and no lock-ins, made possible through the SECA API developed with Aruba and Dynamo
• Full control over infrastructure, architecture, and operational processes without dependency on foreign jurisdictions.

Trust isn’t a feature. It’s a question of law – and intent.

Dataport and IONOS, showing how trust in practice works

A compelling example of digital sovereignty in practice is the partnership between Dataport and IONOS. The IT service provider for six federal states in Germany has developed the dPhoenixSuite, a fully cloud-based workplace solution for public administration. It's hosted on the IONOS Cloud, based on open standards and modular open-source architecture.

It’s a question of law – and intent. The goal is clear: A fully digital administration that remains controllable, secure, and scalable. The implementation demonstrates how modern technology and state responsibility can work hand in hand.

Hosted exclusively in German datacenters under European jurisdiction, the dPhoenixSuite guarantees complete data control, maximum interoperability, and high availability, even for tens of thousands of concurrent users. The solution is entirely transparent. From the user interface to the code itself, everything is auditable, traceable, and openly documented.

"In the IONOS Cloud, we have found a partner who speaks our language and understands our specific requirements for resilient yet open software from the ground up," says Gawain MacMillan, program manager and solution architect for Project Phoenix.

Trust as a competitive advantage for businesses

What is becoming standard practice in the public sector is increasingly relevant for private businesses, particularly in regulated industries. Tender processes, AI applications, and international contracts are all increasingly demanding sovereign IT architectures.

According to a Bitkom study from February 2025, 86% of surveyed companies expressed a preference for AI infrastructure based in Europe. This isn't just due to GDPR requirements but also because risks associated with third-country providers are becoming harder to assess.

Moreover, regulations like the EU AI Act, the NIS2 Directive, and new rules for AI governance and data residency are putting additional pressure on businesses to ensure compliance. For many US-based platforms, meeting these standards is not legally viable. It's a critical issue for European firms seeking to remain competitive.

Trust isn't a feature – it's a mindset

IONOS doesn't just view itself as a service provider; it's a strategic partner in digital responsibility. This commitment is evident across all areas:

• Dedicated support with fixed contacts, rather than impersonal ticket systems
• Long-term partnerships, not just vendor management
• Continuous development, from the SECA API to the IONOS AI Model Hub and integration with Nextcloud

While other providers speak of sovereignty, IONOS delivers it with European infrastructure, European law, and European accountability. It all comes with a transparent pricing model that is up to 50% cheaper than US hyperscalers, without hidden costs, complex licenses, or unexpected price jumps.

Trust begins with the right infrastructure

Public authorities, ministries, utility companies, and even mid-sized businesses are all facing the same challenge: Digital transformation must work, but it must also remain under control, secure, and legally sound.

IONOS provides a platform for this transformation that is technically robust, legally secure, and economically sustainable. Because trust comes from action, not words.

Find out more now:   Build cloud infrastructure – Secure and confident for the future

Contributed by IONOS.