Microsoft expands sovereign cloud offerings as data control concerns grow

Microsoft expanded its sovereign cloud offerings on Tuesday, adding new security, governance and AI capabilities as customers, particularly in Europe, demand greater assurance over where data is stored, who can access it and how critical services operate during disruptions. The announcement builds on Microsoft’s ongoing digital sovereignty efforts, assisting organizations in applying appropriate levels of control to each workload rather than forcing a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach. “Organizations are considering more than where data resides. They also seek to understand who can access and operate their systems, how sensitive digital assets remain protected, which technology dependencies matter most and whether critical services can continue as regulatory, geopolitical, security or network conditions change,” Douglas Phillips, president and CTO at Microsoft Specialized Clouds, said in a blog post. The developments come amid growing international scrutiny of how global tech providers handle sensitive data and the extent of control customers retain over their digital infrastructure. “Three factors are driving this, including stricter data regulations, rising geopolitical tensions…

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