Capgemini and Orange have recently announced the launch of Bleu, a cloud company developed in collaboration with Microsoft. The purpose of Bleu is to cater to the specific cloud needs of various high-level organizations in France, including the state, regional authorities, and hospitals. The companies anticipate that Bleu’s services will go live by the end of 2024.
Description of Bleu
Bleu is a fully operational cloud company that has been carefully designed to meet the requirements of esteemed organizations. Its primary objective is to offer cloud services that address the unique needs of the French market. As a leading provider, Bleu aims to ensure the highest level of data protection and security for its customers, especially regarding the extraterritoriality of U.S. law.
The concept of the “trusted cloud” is an essential aspect of Bleu’s offering. It guarantees the utmost data protection and privacy, particularly against potential interference from US legislation. To further solidify its commitment to security, Bleu aims to obtain the SecNumCloud qualification from ANSSI. This “security visa” is intended to guide administrative authorities, vital operators, and economic players toward trusted cloud providers.
Competition in the French Cloud Market
Given the heightened scrutiny over data security and sovereignty concerns, the French cloud market has seen intense competition among providers. Numerous companies, such as Thales and OVHcloud, have stepped up to offer SecNumCloud-qualified services. This competition showcases the increasing importance of ensuring data protection and sovereignty within the French cloud landscape.
Differentiating Sovereign Cloud from Trusted Cloud
While there is often confusion surrounding the terms “sovereign cloud” and “trusted cloud”, it is important to recognize the significant gap between the two. Sovereignty refers to the ability to independently manage and control data, while trust relies on establishing strong relationships with external parties. Dominique Luzeaux, former director of the Defense Digital Agency, highlights the distinction and emphasizes the importance of both aspects in cloud services.
Confidence in Bleu’s Compliance with French Standards
Orange CEO, Christel Heydemann, expresses confidence in Bleu’s ability to provide a cloud solution based on Microsoft services while fully complying with the standards set by French authorities. Heydemann emphasizes the significance of trust and data security in Bleu’s offerings, ensuring that organizations can confidently rely on their services.
Benefits of Bleu for French Organizations
Capgemini CEO, Aiman Ezzat, believes that Bleu offers a unique combination of security and service benefits. This not only enables French organizations to accelerate their digital ambitions but also provides a trusted environment for their cloud needs. With Bleu’s focus on data protection and compliance, organizations can confidently embrace cloud technologies and drive their digital transformations.
Future Plans for Bleu
In its quest for continuous improvement, Bleu aims to obtain the ANSSI SecNumCloud 3.2 qualification by 2025. As the platform develops, Bleu will play a crucial role in guiding organizations through migration processes, conducting tests, and piloting with clients. Its foundation on Microsoft 365 and Azure services ensures the platform’s reliability and compatibility with existing technologies.
The launch of Bleu by Capgemini and Orange introduces a dynamic cloud solution that caters specifically to the needs of high-level organizations in France. With its focus on providing a “trusted cloud,” Bleu offers cutting-edge data protection and compliance, safeguarding organizations against the extraterritoriality of US law. This unique collaboration brings together the expertise of industry leaders to accelerate digital ambitions, promote data sovereignty, and drive the digital transformation of organizations across France. With Bleu’s development set to go live by the end of 2024, the French cloud services market can look forward to a new era of trusted and secure cloud solutions.