Embedding sovereignty into your cloud strategy

This course equips leaders to embed sovereignty into their cloud strategy, turning control over data, operations, and technology into a competitive advantage. Participants will learn how to design cloud strategies that balance agility, resilience, and operational oversight, apply practical frameworks to enforce sovereignty across domains, and make informed decisions that strengthen business performance and risk management.

By the end of this training, the participants will be able to:

• explain what sovereign cloud is and why it is essential, highlighting its role in ensuring data sovereignty and regulatory compliance;
• understand the regulatory drivers for sovereign cloud adoption and identify cases where it may be required, based on industry, data sensitivity, and compliance obligations;
• analyse the strategic positioning and key capabilities of leading sovereign Cloud providers;
• deliver strategic recommendations on sovereign cloud adoption, aligning with EU regulations, ensuring data control, and maintaining operational flexibility.

1. Introduction

• What is sovereign cloud?

2. Strategic importance and trends in Europe

• Importance of sovereign cloud in the EU context
• Overall trends of sovereign cloud in Europe

3. Overview of regulations and strategic initiatives supporting digital sovereignty

• Regulations
• Certifications
• Strategic initiatives

4. Overview of key sovereign cloud solutions

• Global initiatives from hyperscalers
• Country-specific initiatives

5. Way forward, incl. PwC evaluation model for sovereign cloud vendors

This training is coordinated by Stéphane Zema, Director and Petr Rudnitskiy at PwC Luxembourg.

Stéphane Zema is a director at PwC specialising in cloud and ICT infrastructure services with over 16 years of experience. He leads cloud transformation initiatives, focusing on strategy, architecture, governance, compliance, implementation, and operations. Stéphane has strong expertise as a programme manager and technical expert, engaging effectively with both CxO-level executives and operational field specialists. His technical proficiency spans cloud computing (Microsoft Azure, AWS, sovereign cloud), IT infrastructure, digital workplace solutions, mobile networks, and project management. He has contributed to major projects for clients including the European Investment Bank, European Parliament, NATO, and various European agencies, national ministries, and telecommunications companies.

Petr Rudnitskiy is a senior manager with extensive expertise in cloud architecture, DevOps, and infrastructure across Azure, AWS, and GCP platforms. He has led teams to streamline operations focusing on cloud solutions such as DevOps adoption, monitoring, containerised infrastructure, and Infrastructure as Code. Initially specialising in Virtualization and data centre infrastructure, Petr’s primary focus evolved to Azure solutions, AWS deployments, GCP architecture, agile methodologies, and advanced storage systems. Combining technical proficiency with leadership, he supports organisations in digital transformation and cloud adoption, having contributed to projects for clients including Allianz, Volkswagen, government bodies, and financial institutions.