US Tech Giant Launches ‘Sovereign Support’ for Europe
▼ Summary
– European organizations are increasingly prioritizing digital sovereignty due to distrust of US tech companies like Microsoft.
– Red Hat is the first US company to launch an EU-specific sovereign support program, called Red Hat Confirmed Sovereign Support (RHCSS), set for release in early 2026.
– RHCSS provides 24/7 in-region technical assistance, an EU-citizen support team, and a network of over 500 EU cloud partners to enhance data control and regulatory compliance.
– This initiative supports European organizations in reducing reliance on non-EU providers and managing IT infrastructure, including cloud and AI, under strict EU regulations.
– The move aligns with a broader trend of EU agencies switching to open-source solutions, as seen in Germany, Austria, Denmark, and France, to achieve digital sovereignty.
The drive for digital sovereignty in Europe is accelerating, with organizations actively seeking to reduce their dependence on technology providers from outside the European Union. In a significant development, Red Hat has introduced Red Hat Confirmed Sovereign Support (RHCSS), positioning itself as the first US-based technology firm to launch a dedicated program aimed at meeting this specific European demand. This initiative is structured to ensure that vital IT operations remain under the control of entities within the EU.
RHCSS is crafted to respond directly to the priorities of European technology leaders who are focused on strengthening their command over data, technology, and operational processes. By adopting a localized support framework, the program not only helps organizations comply with regional regulations but also provides a buffer against geopolitical shifts and enhances overall operational resilience.
Central to the RHCSS offering are several key components: 24/7 in-region technical assistance, a verified support team composed entirely of EU citizens, and integration with a robust ecosystem of more than 500 cloud partners based in Europe. By embedding its support operations within the continent, Red Hat intends to help businesses and public sector bodies achieve greater autonomy, improve supply chain transparency, and strengthen jurisdictional security as they modernize their IT landscapes, including cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructures, in line with stringent EU rules.
Management of the RHCSS technical support will be handled by European-based managers. The technological backbone will rely on Red Hat Enterprise Linux alongside the company’s broader portfolio of open hybrid cloud and AI solutions. This setup allows organizations to independently deploy, operate, and maintain both existing and future IT systems across any sovereign cloud environment.
Hans Roth, Red Hat’s senior vice president and general manager for EMEA, emphasized the company’s commitment, stating, “Red Hat is making a clear, demonstrable investment in European digital sovereignty. European organizations require control over their infrastructure, and that control must start with the people who support it. With Red Hat Confirmed Sovereign Support, we are directly addressing this demand by delivering an EU-citizen-driven support team and workflow for our enterprise open source solutions.”
This new service aligns with a wider industry movement. Other Linux providers, including SUSE, have also rolled out sovereign support programs centered on EU-based personnel and infrastructure. These initiatives reflect consistent feedback from heavily regulated industries, such as finance, telecommunications, and the public sector, that must adhere to new standards under regulations like the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, the Digital Services Act, and the Data Act.
In recent months, a number of EU governmental bodies have migrated away from Microsoft software and services toward open-source alternatives. Notable examples include the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, which transitioned from Exchange and Outlook to open-source programs. Other public entities, including the Austrian military, various Danish government organizations, and the French city of Lyon, have undertaken similar shifts away from Microsoft products.
Chris Wright, Red Hat’s chief technology officer and senior vice president of global engineering, reinforced the strategic direction, noting, “The only credible path to digital sovereignty is through open source. Our new offering provides an open, transparent, and auditable foundation, paired with local expertise, to help customers control their technology destiny.”
Red Hat has confirmed that Sovereign Support will be available starting in early 2026. The company highlights that this initiative builds on over ten years of experience in delivering region-specific support solutions for customers operating in highly regulated sectors, underscoring a long-term commitment to advancing digital autonomy and resilience across Europe.
(Source: ZDNET)
