In light of recent events, it has become clear: using US clouds is not just a technical issue, but also a geopolitical and legal one. US cloud risks range from regulatory conflicts and data protection concerns to direct geopolitical interference. So what happens if political decisions or sanctions restrict your access to these services?
The answer: a Cloud Exit Strategy.
When the Cloud Suddenly Disappears
Imagine this: You arrive at the office in the morning, log into your systems as usual and nothing works. Customer data is inaccessible, your communication platform is blocked, and workflows have come to a halt.
The reason: your cloud provider has cut off access. Not due to a technical failure, but because of a political decision beyond your control.
Unrealistic? Unfortunately not. The case of the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, whose Microsoft email account was blocked following US sanctions, shows how geopolitical developments can have a direct impact on business operations. It also highlights how dangerous one-sided dependence on US cloud providers can be.
What Is a Cloud Exit Strategy?
A Cloud Exit Strategy is not a panic-driven escape plan, but a structured framework for greater freedom of action. It complements classical cloud migration with a security-oriented perspective: being prepared – technically, organizationally, and legally – if working with a US cloud provider becomes untenable.
Key questions include:
- Which services do I actually use, and which are critical?
- Where is my data stored, and who has access?
- Are there European alternatives with comparable functionality?
- How can data and systems be migrated without loss?
Those who already have this transparency can realistically assess risks and explore alternatives.
Cloud Migration: Where Exit Is Easy – and Where It Isn’t
Not every dependency carries the same weight. Classical infrastructure services or container-based workloads can be migrated relatively easily. It becomes more difficult with specialized services available only from individual hyperscalers.
Organizations using such services are effectively locked in. A Cloud Exit Strategy here often means adopting open standards and portable architectures early. Multi-cloud or hybrid-cloud approaches can reduce dependencies and mitigate risks in a future cloud migration.
Preparation Is Key
A cloud exit only succeeds if it is planned well in advance. This means:
Inventory: Which systems and data are hosted in which clouds?
Risk assessment: What regulatory, technical, and business-critical risks exist?
Prioritization: Which services can be migrated quickly, which require long-term strategies?
Planning: Is a hybrid or multi-cloud interim solution needed?
Testing: Conduct data exports and migration tests to be prepared for emergencies.
This turns the worst-case scenario into a manageable risk.
“Sovereign Clouds” as a Way Out?
US providers are increasingly offering so-called Sovereign Clouds with regional data storage in Europe. They aim to ensure compliance with EU data protection laws. But questions remain: What happens if US political decisions once again interfere? Trust alone is not enough.
Conclusion: Flexibility, Not Flight
An exit strategy does not mean abandoning US clouds overnight. It means gaining freedom: through clarity about your IT landscape, by keeping alternatives in sight, and by being able to act quickly in an emergency.
Companies that prepare in this way strengthen not only their negotiating position with providers but also their resilience against US cloud risks.
For nearly 20 years, data security has been LinkThat’s highest priority. We help companies future-proof their IT strategy – with tailored integrations, automation, AI, and a strong focus on data sovereignty. With LinkThat, you have a partner at your side who integrates technology and security – so your business remains independent.
This way, you retain control over your data, your systems, and the future of your company.
Do you have questions about your Cloud Exit Strategy?
Get in touch – let’s work together on your digital sovereignty.
More about the topic:
Data Protection in the Cloud
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Data Sovereignty Instead of Dependency: Why Now Is the Right Time for Local Data Storage
Less Cloud Dependency, More Control: Local Data Storage & Structured Migration as the Key to Secure IT Infrastructure.
Digital Sovereignty in Customer Service
At a time when digitalization is reshaping customer service, one central question is coming into sharper focus: Where is our data stored – and who ultimately controls it?