Google has teamed up with Schwarz Group, a major retail player, to create a secure cloud-based collaboration service tailored for German and European regulated industries. It aims to fill a significant gap in the market.
Schwarz Group’s StackIT, which operates independently and offers sovereign cloud capabilities, will encrypt customers’ Google Workspace data on their own devices. This means that all data remains in the European Union, with backup systems located solely in European data centers. This setup satisfies strict requirements around data protection, residency, and resiliency.
Rolf Schumann, co-CEO of Schwarz Digits, emphasized the need for robust cloud solutions that meet sovereignty requirements for regulated industries. He pointed out that Germany and the EU haven’t had enterprise-grade options that ensure data stays on local soil, shielded from outside access.
The partnership gives customers peace of mind with client-side encryption, meaning Google won’t have access to their data. Both Google and Schwarz Group highlight that this independence is crucial for clients wanting to control their operations securely.
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, noted that this collaboration will blend Schwarz’s digital transformation expertise with Google Cloud’s capabilities in productivity and security, further powered by advanced AI technologies. Together, they’re set to create new, sovereign opportunities for European organizations.
This partnership also integrates Google Cloud’s security with XM Cyber, Schwarz’s hybrid cloud security firm. Customers will access this combined security offering through the Google Cloud Marketplace, particularly benefiting those in highly regulated sectors.
Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, stated that this initiative alleviates sovereignty and security concerns that have hindered cloud adoption for productivity and collaboration in regulated industries.
As Europe’s largest retailer, Schwarz Group plans to transition its global workforce to Google Workspace. This move is designed to protect sensitive workplace data from third-party access, including foreign governments, while ensuring the ability to switch to other service providers when necessary.
Christian Müller, Co-CEO of Schwarz Digits, highlighted that moving to Google Workspace marks a significant shift from outdated systems to a modern, efficient cloud solution. He sees this as a way to enhance operations, streamline IT management, and improve workflows at their points of sale.