On October 30, 2023, Oracle announced that the European Commission (EC) has decided to incorporate Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and its platform services into the range of cloud services available for the administration of the European Union. The decision was made following a competitive procurement process, granting Oracle a six-year contract.
This agreement allows dozens of EU Institutions, Bodies, and Agencies to access over 100 OCI services, taking advantage of the numerous benefits offered by cloud computing, such as scalability, security, flexibility, and reliable performance.
OCI provides high-performance, scalable computing, facilitating the seamless migration of legacy applications to the cloud. Additionally, it employs rigorous organizational and architectural security measures, including advanced encryption technologies, integrated identity management, and strict access controls. This enables EU institutions and bodies to comply with compliance mandates, data governance, and regulations, reducing risks and costs. By utilizing OCI, government agencies can securely store, process, and analyze data, meeting stringent privacy protection requirements.
Now, the EU Institutions, Bodies, and Agencies join over 1,000 public sector organizations, including the UK Government, the Government of the Netherlands, the Australian Federal Government, and the US Department of Defense, in using Oracle Cloud Infrastructure to modernize their operations and accelerate digital transformation.
However, this decision has sparked concern and criticism, highlighting the lack of trust the European Union has in its own companies to handle cloud infrastructure. The fact that the European Commission has chosen to entrust its cloud to an American company, albeit housed in data centers in Europe, has generated considerable unease. Many argue that European politicians should be ashamed for contributing to the destruction of businesses in Europe, opting for foreign solutions instead of supporting and fostering innovation and growth within their own territory.