The European Commission has signed a six-year agreement with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).
The agreement, valued at €15.75 million ($16.73m), will see European Union institutions, bodies, and agencies use OCI's cloud computing services.
OCI was selected following a competitive procurement procedure. The cloud computing offerings feature security measures including advanced encryption, integrated identity management, and strict access controls which will enable the EU groups to meet compliance, data governance, and regulatory mandates.
The EU Commission operates a multi-cloud strategy, having signed an agreement with AWS in 2020, and uses tech services from OVHcloud.
Oracle launched an EU sovereign cloud service in June 2023, specifically designed to offer EU organizations greater control over their data privacy and sovereignty.
That same month, the EU Commission published its Cloud computing policy for "Shaping Europe's digital future." The EU Commission will be investing in an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) which will federate energy-efficient and trustworthy cloud infrastructures, compile a set of rules for the public procurement of data processing services, and, as part of the Cybersecurity Act, is working on a European Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for cloud services (EUCS).
"The lack of trust in cloud technologies remains a barrier to a well-functioning data economy. EUCS will introduce a harmonized set of security requirements and conformity assessment methodologies so that cloud consumers can make informed decisions. Having a harmonized set of cybersecurity requirements across Europe will promote trust in cloud services, thus fostering the uptake of cloud technologies," Oracle said in a statement.
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure is used by over 1,000 public sector organizations, including the UK Government, the Government of the Netherlands, the Australian Federal Government, and the US Department of Defense.
