A turning point in how Europe builds and protects its sovereign critical infrastructure in the AI era

For years, many Europeans across both public and private sectors have considered the answers to digital sovereignty partial - wrappers and workarounds that left Europeans dependent on their vendors to manage and access their critical data and infrastructure.

That's why Cisco's European customers that are responsible for critical infrastructure - banks, healthcare systems, tech companies, governments - have asked us for more choice, more control, and more autonomy over their data and digital infrastructure.

Cisco has listened.

Our new Cisco Sovereign Critical Infrastructure portfolio recognizes the needs of our customers, embraces the challenges they face, and moves to meet their expectations.

The portfolio provides customers with more choices and control over their sensitive data and digital infrastructure when and how they need it - truly configurable infrastructure with EU-based product certifications that customers can operate in their own air-gapped, 'on-prem' physical environments.

Why sovereignty, why now?

In Europe, concerns about digital sovereignty have risen to the very top of the agenda. The policy trend and customer needs are clear: trust in digital systems must exist with clear and demonstrable control over access to systems and data.

This is especially true for critical infrastructure - the banks, healthcare providers, public services, and energy networks. These are the systems that underpin daily life. These are the systems that must keep running, no matter what.

Our Sovereign Critical Infrastructure portfolio can deliver the resilience these systems need without the dependencies our customers are concerned about. Once live, customers can operate the portfolio independently with no Cisco access and no Cisco control.

Through this announcement and future innovations to the portfolio, we are providing our customers with a path to digital self-determination and resilience.

Choice is at the center of it

Customers can now choose which workloads need to run on sovereign critical infrastructure, and which do not. One customer's sovereign architecture might look completely different to the next. What's important is they have greater choice about how they control their data.

"Today we're taking our commitment to empowering Europe's digital future even further," said Oliver Tuszik, EVP and Chief Sales Officer at Cisco. "With Cisco's Sovereign Critical Infrastructure Portfolio, our European customers gain what they asked for: more choice and control over their most sensitive data and systems where they need it. We're pleased to deliver a truly configurable infrastructure aligned to EU-based product certifications that customers can operate in their own air-gapped, on-prem physical environments."

Answering one of Europe's hardest questions

If tomorrow, any government - foreign or domestic - were to demand that Cisco hand over customer data from a Sovereign Critical Infrastructure deployment, we would have only one answer: we can't.

Please go to the customer directly.

We do not run, access or control the infrastructure. This sits entirely with the customer.

Building sovereign AI infrastructure

The arrival of AI makes the combination of choice and control that Cisco's Sovereign Critical Infrastructure provides, both desirable and essential. 

For the first time, our European customers can choose to use their most sensitive data to develop, train, and run their own AI models in a location they prefer, under their full control, without the risk to expose that data to third party technology providers.

That ability to choose where different types of data run, makes sure digital sovereignty doesn't become the brake on Europe's AI innovation.

"Technological breakthroughs offer a unique and exciting opportunity for every organization across Europe,"Gordon Thomson, President, Cisco EMEA, said. "Our customers want control over their digital infrastructure and data, while enjoying the freedom to choose the right deployment models for their operations, security postures, and strategic goals. Today's announcement provides that, ensuring customers have the technology and flexibility to build secure, resilient digital systems."

A turning point

Europe wants its most sensitive data and digital infrastructure to be truly under its control.

Today is a turning point for how Europe builds, governs, and protects its critical infrastructure in the AI era.

Our customers asked for more choice. They asked for more control. They asked for more autonomy and transparency.

Cisco listened.

Today, they have it.

For more information:

• Press release: Cisco Announces Sovereign Critical Infrastructure Portfolio
• Executive blog from Gordon Thomson: The Sovereign Critical Infrastructure portfolio for Europe's AI future