German intelligence agencies to use Google Cloud for classified data

Germany's three primary intelligence agencies—the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), and the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD)—plan to implement a shared cloud system known as 'ND-Cloud' to facilitate the exchange of classified documents.

According to reports from NDR and WDR, the system will be based on an air-gapped deployment of Google Distributed Cloud. This setup is intended to allow the electronic exchange of information classified up to the 'Secret' level through a protected IT environment that lacks a direct link to the internet.

To address concerns regarding the use of a U.S.-based provider, sources indicate that data storage will be confined to Germany and that Google will be unable to access the contents. While the BfV stated it continues to prioritize European options for resilience, it noted that modern technology platforms are essential for agency operations and innovation.