Clarence SA, a joint venture between LuxConnect and Proximus Luxembourg, signed a partnership agreement with the Luxembourg government on Thursday to operate a disconnected sovereign cloud.
This new service, accessible through the Government IT Centre (CTIE), will enable government departments to securely store and process sensitive data in an internet-disconnected environment.
While the concept may seem abstract, its significance is undeniable. Data, the “raw material” for modern applications, holds immense value. A sovereign cloud, essentially a network of servers isolated from the internet, provides a secure solution for safeguarding digital infrastructure. In an era marked by geopolitical instability, cyberattacks, and data misuse, such measures are increasingly critical. As Minister for Digitalisation Stéphanie Obertin noted, it is also about ensuring Luxembourg “does not fall behind” in the digital transformation race.
The Luxembourg government has operated its own govcloud since 2016. However, Clarence’s sovereign cloud will serve a different purpose. According to Minister Obertin, it will focus on enabling secure data cross-referencing and processing using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, rather than transferring all existing data or servers.
Paul Konsbrück, director of LuxConnect, highlighted two key dimensions of Clarence’s security and sovereignty: data is stored exclusively in Luxembourg, and there is no link with the internet or the technology provider, which in this case is Google. Additionally, Luxembourg’s jurisdiction provides an added layer of legal security.
The government has allocated up to €2 million annually for the use of the Clarence cloud, with the final amount depending on usage levels. Minister Obertin also indicated that the budget could be adjusted if necessary. Notably, the Luxembourg State is the sole shareholder of LuxConnect, while the Belgian State holds a majority stake in Proximus.
When asked which government bodies would utilise the Clarence cloud – such as defence, police, or justice – CTIE director Patrick Houtsch clarified that the decision lies with individual administrations. Currently, the Financial Sector Supervisory Commission (CSSF) is Clarence’s first confirmed client.
