German agencies plan secret cloud using Google technology
The proposed cloud must be able to process information classified up to ‘Secret’.
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Germany’s domestic and foreign intelligence services are working on a joint cloud environment for classified information. According to an investigation by NDR and WDR, the environment would use Google Cloud technology, while the data must remain physically separated within Germany.
The agencies involved are the Bundesnachrichtendienst, the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz and the military intelligence service MAD. They want to be able to exchange documents with one another more quickly than through the current, highly protected systems. The state-level services could also join at a later stage.
According to NDR and WDR, Google Distributed Cloud is the intended technical basis. The chosen variant would be ‘air-gapped’: a standalone system without a direct connection to the internet or Google’s regular infrastructure. Storage and processing would take place in Germany.
The cloud must be able to process information classified as ‘Secret’ under the German system. This does not mean that the environment is already operational. Several components are reportedly still being assessed by the Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, Germany’s cyber-security authority.
The system was initially due to enter service in the first quarter of 2027, but the reporting says it is facing delays. Budgets can only be released after the required approvals. Insiders estimate the costs at at least €500 million; Germany’s intelligence services have not publicly confirmed the key details.
The choice of American technology makes the project politically sensitive. German government organisations have long discussed digital sovereignty: the ability to control systems themselves and not be entirely dependent on foreign suppliers. At the same time, a commercial platform may be available more quickly than a fully bespoke system.
BWI, the Bundeswehr’s IT systems house, previously announced a partnership with Google Cloud for a physically separated cloud environment. That partnership alone does not mean that the three intelligence services will use precisely this ND-Cloud. The exact procurement process, security architecture and form of oversight therefore remain uncertain.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- According to NDR and WDR, German security services are planning a joint cloud environment for information classified up to ‘Secret’.
- The proposed technology would be a physically separated Google Cloud variant.
- The German state has not yet publicly confirmed in full the timetable, costs and final provider.
Left
Arguments A left-wing approach would focus primarily on whether such sensitive infrastructure should remain under direct public control and whether parliamentary oversight is sufficient. It would also point to the risk that security interests are being used to justify commercial and geopolitical dependence.
Values Public responsibility, democratic oversight, privacy and limiting the concentration of power.
Consequences Caution could delay implementation and make it more expensive, but from this perspective it would strengthen the system’s legitimacy and accountability.
Centre
Arguments An institutional approach would consider security and feasibility together. A separated system can limit risks, but the state must be able to enforce contractually, technically and legally that updates, access and continuity remain under German control.
Values Security, proportionality, continuity and verifiable public safeguards.
Consequences A controlled partnership with multiple suppliers and independent certification could be a workable compromise, provided the conditions are sufficiently public for oversight.
Right
Arguments A right-wing approach would stress that intelligence services quickly need modern technology to protect national security and operational effectiveness. A foreign supplier is acceptable if the data are physically isolated and Germany itself retains control.
Values National security, decisiveness, technological competitiveness and protection of state secrets.
Consequences From this perspective, excessive caution could leave the services behind. It would nevertheless often demand that foreign dependence must not create vulnerability or lead to political influence.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The main development comes from a current investigation by NDR and WDR and fits with the officially documented BWI-Google partnership. Costs, the timetable and the precise choice for the intelligence services are presented as not fully confirmed.
- confirmed BND, Verfassungsschutz and MAD are planning a joint cloud for classified information. — Reported in the NDR and WDR investigation via Tagesschau. source
- confirmed The proposed solution would use Google Distributed Cloud Air-Gapped. — Tagesschau attributes this to its own investigation. source
- confirmed BWI and Google have an official agreement for a separated cloud environment. — BWI published its own press release on this. source
- uncertain The ND-Cloud will cost at least €500 million. — This is based on anonymous sources in the Tagesschau investigation and has not been officially confirmed. source
Editor's note
The planning for the ND-Cloud comes from a journalistic investigation and has not been fully confirmed by the services involved. The earlier BWI-Google partnership is officially documented, but does not prove all the details of the new project.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- NOS — „duitsland inlichtingendiensten”
- Het Parool — „duitsland inlichtingendiensten”
- NRC — „duitsland inlichtingendiensten”