“Kill switch” risk in foreign cloud services poses strategic threat to Europe

Europe’s heavy reliance on non-European cloud computing providers could expose its defence and security systems to a potential “kill switch” risk, according to a new report by the Future of Technology Institute (FOTI), raising concerns over strategic vulnerability in critical military infrastructure.

The report warns that cloud-based systems used by European armed forces—including for weapons management, logistics, and personnel operations—are increasingly dependent on foreign technology providers, primarily from the United States.

It notes that more than three-quarters of European countries rely on American cloud services for sensitive government and defence functions, creating what it describes as a structural dependency with geopolitical implications.

The study argues that this reliance could leave Europe exposed to scenarios in which access to essential systems might be disrupted or restricted for political reasons, drawing parallels to previous incidents affecting international institutions, including the International Criminal Court.

It further suggests that such dependence could allow external actors to use technological dominance as a geopolitical tool, turning cloud infrastructure into a form of strategic leverage.

FOTI Executive Director Cori Crider said European defence officials could no longer ignore the risks associated with potential cloud service shutdowns, according to the report.

The study also highlights that 16 EU member states, along with the United Kingdom, are assessed as having a high level of dependence on foreign cloud providers, including major economies such as Germany, Poland, and the UK.

Against this backdrop, the report calls for stronger European digital sovereignty and greater investment in domestic cloud infrastructure, an approach already being supported by several countries, including France.

By Sabina Mammadli