Amid concerns about major American suppliers, Monaco is launching its own sovereign cloud
Terabytes on the Rock. The Principality of Monaco has launched its own cloud service, intended to address growing concerns over the location of data. The first server was started “last week” by Albert II of Monaco, Frédéric Genta, delegate, interministerial responsible for the digital transition, said on Thursday.
Monaco Cloud is majority owned by the Monegasque government. It processes its data and also targets business customers. The new player relies on two data centers in the principality, and one back-up in Luxembourg, said Frédéric Genta. A third center will be built in Monaco.
“Clouds of Confidence”
This initiative is part of a context of concerns in Europe, and particularly in France, about the growing dependence of companies and institutions on the major American cloud providers. To respond to these concerns, the French government is seeking to promote “clouds of confidence”, using the technology of American but European giants exploited in Europe by companies.
Google and Thales announced an agreement to this effect on Wednesday, a few months after a neighboring Microsoft announcement with an Orange Capgemini tandem.
The Monegasque cloud for its part will be able to meet “95% of the needs of Monegasque companies” without needing the technology of “hyperscalers”, the American cloud giants, also explained Frédéric Genta.