German software major SAP has announced the launch of its sovereign cloud capabilities in India, allowing customers to store and manage their data within the country. The announcement was made on Friday, September 19, and is aimed at strengthening data security for governments and regulated industries while supporting India’s digital growth.
The company said the SAP Sovereign Cloud will help public sector organisations and regulated industries modernise their infrastructure with cloud and artificial intelligence while maintaining complete control over sensitive data. The offering has been introduced in line with the National Information Security Policy and Guidelines prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure data security under the jurisdiction of government entities and related organisations.
SAP’s announcement comes at a time when India is stepping up efforts to become a global hub for data centres and AI infrastructure. It also follows the IT Ministry’s move to frame rules under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
“With SAP Sovereign Cloud in India, we are proud to support the country’s path as a growing hub for innovation—offering customers freedom of choice to embrace cloud and AI while retaining full control over data and operations,” said Martin Merz, President, SAP Sovereign Cloud.
Manish Prasad, President and Managing Director of SAP Indian Subcontinent, added, “The launch of SAP Sovereign Cloud in India underscores our unwavering commitment to the nation’s digital transformation journey. By ensuring data remains secure, compliant, and within sovereign boundaries, we are enabling India’s regulated industries to innovate fearlessly.”
The push for digital sovereignty has grown globally amid rising geopolitical tensions, with many countries seeking to reduce dependence on foreign data storage. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence has also increased the demand for on-shore infrastructure to support advanced computing needs. In response, global technology leaders including SAP, Amazon, and Microsoft have launched sovereign cloud services to ensure user data stays within local or regional borders. Earlier this year, OpenAI also introduced a data residency programme in India to enable local storage for its customers.
According to SAP, the Sovereign Cloud provides a full-stack framework covering infrastructure, platforms, applications, and AI, built on an open-source foundation to offer flexibility and ensure operational, legal, and technical control of data. Customers can choose different deployment models, including on-site data centres and a hyperscaler option built in partnership with Amazon Web Services.
The company also revealed that it is establishing a Sure Operational Facility in Bengaluru to meet stringent requirements set by India’s national security authorities. The facility will be located at SAP Labs India Innovation Park, a newly inaugurated 41-acre campus in Karnataka.
SAP generates most of its revenue from cloud services and is focusing heavily on integrating AI into its offerings. Its products are used by more than 4,40,000 customers globally, including 98 of the world’s 100 largest companies. Together, these customers account for over 80 per cent of global commerce. In India, SAP employs over 17,000 people across Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Delhi, with more than 40 per cent of its global R&D workforce based in the country.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
