Educloudbe

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗨𝗦 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆?

- Data sovereignty and compliance risk?
- Geopolitical unpredictability?

Valid concerns - especially given how deeply embedded Europe's research and education sector is in American cloud infrastructure. AWS, Azure, Google Cloud - they're all interwoven into how we store data, run applications, and collaborate across institutions.

For a long time, that felt fine. Convenient, even.

But the conversation has been shifting for a while now. Geopolitical tensions, changing regulatory environments, and questions about where data actually lives and who can access it should be making institutions think twice about where their data calls home.

Many are probably wondering what happens to their data if the rules of the game change overnight.

𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁.

[email protected] / +32 (02) 616 09 95 / www.educloud.be


Datacenter United CloudCom Whitesky.cloud Belnet GÉANT Community

We all try to make conscious choices in our personal lives.

Some of us may buy local when we can.
We might choose seasonal fruit and vegetables instead of produce flown in from the other side of the world. We probably recycle. There's a good chance many of us take public transport. 𝙒𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨.

𝗦𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Why don’t we apply that same thinking when choosing a cloud provider?

If you work for a member of Belnet you're working in a public or non-profit sector. You have already chosen a path rooted in community, public value, and long term impact.
Service matters. Trust matters. Sovereignty matters.

And yet, many organisations still default to US hyperscalers as if there were no alternative.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀.

educloud was built in Belgium, for Belgian education and public institutions. Your data stays in Europe, under European jurisdiction, aligned with EU regulations and security standards. No complex transatlantic data questions. No dependency on shifting foreign legislation. Just a trusted, local infrastructure that understands your context.

Choosing local is not only about economics, although supporting the European digital ecosystem certainly matters. It is also about responsibility. About aligning your infrastructure with your mission. About ensuring that the values you uphold in your work are reflected in the technology you rely on.

We try to shop local in our personal lives because it makes sense.

Maybe it is time to do the same for the cloud.

Shop local.
Go with educloud.

[email protected] / +32 (02) 616 09 95 / www.educloud.be


Datacenter United CloudCom Whitesky.cloud GÉANT Community

Last December, at the Digital SME summit in Brussels, the message was clear: Europe needs to take back control of its digital future.

It has been a few months. So where are we now?

We feel the conversation has matured. It is no longer just about principles like autonomy, resilience and data protection. It is about practical alternatives. If European organisations want to reduce their dependency on US hyperscalers, the question becomes simple: what can we use instead?

For members of Belnet the answer is not theoretical. It already exists.

educloud offers a sovereign cloud environment built in and for Belgium. Infrastructure hosted in Europe. Governance aligned with European legislation. A solution designed specifically for research and education institutions that want control over their data, their compliance posture and their long term strategy.

Moving away from a US hyperscaler environment can feel complex. Contracts, integrations, risk assessments. But digital sovereignty does not start with a revolution. It starts with a decision to choose a European alternative where one already exists.

For Belnet members, that alternative is not something that still needs to be built. It is already operational, already trusted, and already aligned with the values discussed last December.

European digital sovereignty will only become real when organisations act on it. If you are a Belnet member reviewing your cloud strategy this year, now is the time to ask: 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙨?

[email protected] / +32 (02) 616 09 95 / www.educloud.be

European DIGITAL SME Alliance Datacenter United CloudCom Whitesky.cloud

If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

That's how the old saying goes. But what if it is "broke", or at the very least, just can't be trusted like in the past?

It's time to look into alternatives for US hyperscaler cloud platforms. For years, the rest of the world has relied on that innovative tech, but now it's time for organizations to turn their eyes back homeward and realize that while the US was dominating the market, some in the EU weren't standing still and were working on solutions to support the unique needs of those beholden to EU legislation.

Datacenter United, CloudCom and Whitesky.cloud didn't stand still, and came together to offer a sovereign cloud solution for Belnet members. -> educloud

It's time. Time for a private cloud solution for secured data with global access.

Ready to talk?👇
[email protected] / +32 (02) 616 09 95 / www.educloud.be

GÉANT Community

𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁: 𝗺𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗲 ‘𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴’ 𝗨𝗦 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 (yet).

But here’s the uncomfortable flip side: pretending there’s no downside to staying deeply dependent on US cloud and collaboration platforms is just as unrealistic in 2026.

Some of the reasons we've heard as to why moving away from US providers feels impossible:
*Everyone already lives in Google / Microsoft / Zoom. Switching is painful.
*IT teams are trained, certified and contracted around US stacks.
*US platforms simply feel better than the alternatives.
All valid points about the current reality.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔: 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝑶𝑲 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 5–10 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒘?

Because the risks of doubling down on this dependency are growing:
*Extra‑territorial laws and policy swings far outside EU control.
*US business models built on data extraction and profiling.
*Education systems that can’t set their own red lines without risking disruption.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲?
Consider moving the most sensitive data and core collaboration into EU‑governed platforms. Or, as a company we recently met with - move your non-production elements to Kubernetes clusters - or any of the other number of possibilities. This lays the groundwork for later moving the rest of your infrastructure in a much simpler manner (should the need arise) and removes some of your dependence on infrastructure that has shown itself to be problematic in the current geopolitical environment.

So when we hear: “Leaving US tech isn’t realistic”, our answer is:
✅ Maybe
❌ But doing nothing isn’t realistic either.

If you’re in a ministry, university or school network and you’re wrestling with these trade‑offs, we’d love your perspective:
👉 What’s the real blocker for you today – technology, contracts, culture, or politics?

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-capitals-deleting-us-technology-not-realistic/ #:~:text=Some%20countries%20and%20regions%20within,activity%20to%20French%20platform%20Visio.

www.politico.eu

#𝗡𝗥𝗘𝗡. 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘆𝗺.

In the world of education and research, a National Research and Education Network is not a buzzword. It is critical infrastructure.

Across Europe, NRENs connect universities, colleges, research institutes and public bodies to high performance, secure networks built specifically for knowledge sharing and collaboration. They are designed around public values such as trust, openness, security and long term stability, not advertising models or shareholder pressure.

In Belgium, that role is fulfilled by Belnet

Belnet provides secure connectivity, identity services and international links to the global research community. It connects Belgian institutions to pan European initiatives such as GÉANT Community, enabling seamless collaboration across borders.

Why does this matter when we talk about cloud?

Because infrastructure matters.

When educloud operates as a provider to Belnet members, our services are built on a network created specifically for education, research and government. That means:

• Data stays within trusted European infrastructure
• Connectivity is direct, high performance and purpose built
• Identity and access can integrate with academic federations
• Governance aligns with public sector and educational values

At a time when many institutions are questioning their reliance on US hyperscalers, sovereignty is not just about where data is stored. It is about who controls the infrastructure, who sets the rules, and whose legal framework applies.

Being a provider to Belnet members allows educloud to offer a truly sovereign cloud alternative. Not a repackaged hyperscaler service. Not a marketing label. But infrastructure rooted in Belgian and European public networks, designed for the communities we serve.

Ready to talk about your sovereign cloud future?
[email protected] / +32 (02) 616 09 95 / www.educloud.be

Datacenter United CloudCom Whitesky.cloud

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗘𝗨 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗨𝗦 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀? If so, you're not alone.

It is a question we see more and more often. Not out of ideology, but out of necessity. Data sovereignty, regulatory pressure, contractual risk, and long term control are now board level concerns, not just IT topics.

Many organisations are actively reassessing their dependence on US hyperscalers. Others are thinking about it, but struggle with a practical follow up question: if not them, then who?

The good news is that educloud offers a strong EU based cloud alternative that aligns better with European legal frameworks.

educloud is a 100% Belgian cloud platform built specifically for Belnet organisations that take sovereignty, compliance, and transparency seriously.

If you are looking for an EU alternative, get in touch with us and let’s talk about what a realistic European cloud strategy could look like for your organisation.

[email protected] / +32 (02) 616 09 95 / www.educloud.be

Datacenter United CloudCom Whitesky.cloud

𝘾𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚(𝙧).

Price, scale, and convenience were often the main drivers. If it was cheaper and faster, it won.

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵.

For Belnet members, cloud choices increasingly involve legal risk, geopolitical risk, continuity, and accountability. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘄 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗴𝗼 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

This shift from cost-first to risk-aware decision-making is where digital sovereignty comes in. Not as an abstract concept, but as a practical way to reduce exposure and protect long-term missions.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱, 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼 𝘀𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘁𝘆, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰-𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝗻.

👉 Learn more at www.educloud.be

Datacenter United Whitesky.cloud CloudCom

𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗮 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮.

Student records, research results, citizen information, health-related datasets, and intellectual property are not just operational assets. They are often deeply personal, sensitive, and entrusted to institutions that serve the public interest.

That is why digital sovereignty matters more for Belnet members than in most other sectors. It is not only about where data is stored, but about who controls it, under which legal framework it falls, and how transparently it is governed.

For institutions with a long-term, public mission, cloud choices are strategic and ethical decisions, not just technical ones.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲.
[email protected] / +32 (02) 616 09 95 / www.educloud.be

Datacenter United Whitesky.cloud CloudCom

As some discussions focus on investing in people and preparing them for what’s next, one thing is clear: 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻.

Educators, researchers, and public institutions need to focus on learning, discovery, and public service. They should not have to worry about whether their infrastructure can keep up. That is where educloud comes in.

educloud provides the reliable digital backbone Belnet members can count on, with the personalised service only a local partner can offer. Powered by the combined strengths of Datacenter United, Whitesky.cloud, and CloudCom we make sure the foundations are solid so people are free to do their best work.

Curious how educloud supports Belnet members today? Let’s talk.
[email protected] / +32 (02) 616 09 95 / www.educloud.be

GÉANT Community

Global dynamics shift. Digital foundations should remain steady.

As Belgium’s National Research & Education Network, Belnet enables knowledge institutions and governments to fully benefit from digital acceleration - securely and sustainably.

As a Belnet provider, educloud supports this mission with compliant, resilient cloud solutions for organisations that value stability, trust, and long-term continuity.

When trust and continuity matter, infrastructure matters.
Make conscious choices about the digital foundations you rely on.
[email protected] / +32 (02) 616 09 95 / www.educloud.be


Datacenter United CloudCom Whitesky.cloud GÉANT Community