Netherlands' Government Agencies Heavily Rely on American Cloud Services

By Netvora Tech News

A recent analysis has revealed that Dutch government agencies are extensively using American cloud services, with a majority of them relying on Microsoft's cloud solutions. The findings, based on DNS data, show that 1722 websites of Dutch government agencies and vital businesses are using at least one American cloud service.

Microsoft Dominates the Market

The analysis highlights Microsoft's dominance in the market, with the majority of the websites using Microsoft's cloud services. Earlier reports had already suggested that two-thirds of the Netherlands' municipalities were using Microsoft's email services, but it appears that the use of American cloud services is even more widespread.

Government Agencies and Provinces Also Impacted

Not only municipalities, but also the provinces and government agencies are using American cloud services. While some ministeries have not outsourced their email services to American companies, nine out of 15 ministeries are using Microsoft Teams or Webex for video conferencing.

Lack of Exit Strategy Raises Concerns

The use of American cloud services has raised concerns about the Netherlands' dependence on these services. With no clear exit strategy in place, government agencies and businesses may struggle to switch to alternative providers if needed. This issue has been raised in the Dutch parliament, with lawmakers questioning the country's reliance on American cloud services.

Context: Dutch Parliament Questions Dependence on American Cloud Services

The debate about the Netherlands' dependence on American cloud services has been ongoing, with policymakers and experts expressing concerns about data security and sovereignty. The recent analysis has shed new light on the extent to which Dutch government agencies and businesses rely on American cloud services, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to data management and security.

1722 websites of Dutch government agencies and vital businesses use at least one American cloud service.
Microsoft dominates the market, with most websites using its cloud services.
Government agencies, provinces, and ministeries also use American cloud services.
The lack of an exit strategy raises concerns about data security and sovereignty.