Published on 1/23/2026 by Daniel SCHNETZER
Last updated : 1/26/2026
The end of the myth of cloud that is only about performance
For years, cloud computing has been evaluated through a relatively simple lens : computing power, elasticity, availability, and cost optimization.
This model has largely contributed to the massive adoption of cloud services. But today, it is showing its limits.
Recent global outages, the rise in cyberattacks, the enforcement of new European regulations, and the rapid growth of AI have profoundly changed the landscape.
Companies are no longer just looking for a fast or cost-effective cloud, but for a reliable, controlled, and responsible cloud.
It is in this context that a new requirement emerges : the trusted cloud.
1. Performance ≠ reliability : a still common confusion
A high-performance cloud is capable of processing large workloads with minimal latency. A trusted cloud guarantees much more than that.
Recent events have highlighted a troubling reality : some of the most powerful infrastructures in the world can become unavailable within minutes, simultaneously impacting thousands of organizations.
Technical performance does not protect against :
- systemic outages,
- unilateral decisions by providers,
- extraterritorial legal risks,
- interruptions caused by security incidents.
For companies, the question is no longer : “Which platform is the most performant?” but rather : “Which infrastructure can I truly rely on over the long term?”
2. The rise of regulatory requirements
The European regulatory framework has evolved significantly.
With GDPR, NIS2, DORA, and now the AI Act, companies must be able to demonstrate :
- where their data is hosted,
- who can access it,
- how it is protected,
- how incidents are managed,
- how business continuity is ensured.
A high-performance but opaque cloud becomes a risk factor. Conversely, a trusted cloud facilitates :
- auditability,
- compliance,
- traceability,
- accountability of stakeholders.
The cloud is no longer just a technical tool: it has become a key component of corporate governance.
3. Security and resilience : two inseparable pillars
Security is no longer limited to preventing intrusions. It must now include the ability to absorb a shock and continue operating.
A trusted cloud relies on :
- strict environment segmentation,
- a Zero Trust approach,
- isolated and verified backups,
- tested disaster recovery plans,
- continuous monitoring.
Resilience is no longer reserved for large critical infrastructures.
It is becoming a central criterion for all organizations whose activity depends on digital systems — which is now the case for almost all organizations.
4. Sovereignty : an underestimated security factor
Digital sovereignty is often addressed from a political perspective. In reality, it is an operational security lever.
When data, infrastructures, and control mechanisms are subject to foreign jurisdictions, several risks arise :
- legal uncertainty,
- exposure to extraterritorial laws,
- difficulty auditing environments,
- strategic dependency on third-party actors.
A trusted cloud is based on clear control over :
- data location,
- contractual responsibilities,
- technological dependency chains.
This control becomes essential in an unstable geopolitical and regulatory context.
5. Cloud governance : the often-overlooked criterion
Many organizations stack cloud services without an overall vision. The result : a fragmented architecture that is difficult to secure and even harder to govern.
A trusted cloud requires structured governance :
- clear mapping of critical assets,
- definition of roles and responsibilities,
- management of access and identities,
- centralized monitoring,
- risk and performance indicators.
Without governance, even the best technology loses its value. Trust cannot be decreed : it is built, measured, and maintained.
The end of the myth of cloud that is only about performance
For years, cloud computing has been evaluated through a relatively simple lens : computing power, elasticity, availability, and cost optimization.
This model has largely contributed to the massive adoption of cloud services. But today, it is showing its limits.
Recent global outages, the rise in cyberattacks, the enforcement of new European regulations, and the rapid growth of AI have profoundly changed the landscape.
Companies are no longer just looking for a fast or cost-effective cloud, but for a reliable, controlled, and responsible cloud.
It is in this context that a new requirement emerges : the trusted cloud.
1. Performance ≠ reliability : a still common confusion
A high-performance cloud is capable of processing large workloads with minimal latency. A trusted cloud guarantees much more than that.
Recent events have highlighted a troubling reality : some of the most powerful infrastructures in the world can become unavailable within minutes, simultaneously impacting thousands of organizations.
Technical performance does not protect against :
- systemic outages,
- unilateral decisions by providers,
- extraterritorial legal risks,
- interruptions caused by security incidents.
For companies, the question is no longer : “Which platform is the most performant?” but rather : “Which infrastructure can I truly rely on over the long term?”
2. The rise of regulatory requirements
The European regulatory framework has evolved significantly.
With GDPR, NIS2, DORA, and now the AI Act, companies must be able to demonstrate :
- where their data is hosted,
- who can access it,
- how it is protected,
- how incidents are managed,
- how business continuity is ensured.
A high-performance but opaque cloud becomes a risk factor. Conversely, a trusted cloud facilitates :
- auditability,
- compliance,
- traceability,
- accountability of stakeholders.
The cloud is no longer just a technical tool: it has become a key component of corporate governance.
3. Security and resilience : two inseparable pillars
Security is no longer limited to preventing intrusions. It must now include the ability to absorb a shock and continue operating.
A trusted cloud relies on :
- strict environment segmentation,
- a Zero Trust approach,
- isolated and verified backups,
- tested disaster recovery plans,
- continuous monitoring.
Resilience is no longer reserved for large critical infrastructures.
It is becoming a central criterion for all organizations whose activity depends on digital systems — which is now the case for almost all organizations.
4. Sovereignty : an underestimated security factor
Digital sovereignty is often addressed from a political perspective. In reality, it is an operational security lever.
When data, infrastructures, and control mechanisms are subject to foreign jurisdictions, several risks arise :
- legal uncertainty,
- exposure to extraterritorial laws,
- difficulty auditing environments,
- strategic dependency on third-party actors.
A trusted cloud is based on clear control over :
- data location,
- contractual responsibilities,
- technological dependency chains.
This control becomes essential in an unstable geopolitical and regulatory context.
5. Cloud governance : the often-overlooked criterion
Many organizations stack cloud services without an overall vision. The result : a fragmented architecture that is difficult to secure and even harder to govern.
A trusted cloud requires structured governance :
- clear mapping of critical assets,
- definition of roles and responsibilities,
- management of access and identities,
- centralized monitoring,
- risk and performance indicators.
Without governance, even the best technology loses its value. Trust cannot be decreed : it is built, measured, and maintained.
6. The trusted cloud in the face of AI growth
Artificial intelligence further reinforces this requirement.
AI models consume :
- massive volumes of data,
- significant computing power,
- complex training and deployment pipelines.
This raises a fundamental question : who controls the infrastructure on which the company’s AI relies?
A trusted cloud makes it possible to :
- control data flows,
- limit algorithmic dependencies,
- ensure processing compliance,
- prepare for future requirements in terms of responsibility and transparency.
7. UNIVIRTUAL’s vision : building a cloud worthy of trust
For more than 25 years, UNIVIRTUAL has promoted a cloud approach based on control, security, and transparency.
The infrastructures operated by UNIVIRTUAL rely on :
- sovereign environments in France and Switzerland,
- Tier IV, ISO 27001, and HDS certified data centers,
- integrated cybersecurity with continuous monitoring,
- multi-zone backup and disaster recovery mechanisms,
- clear governance of data access and usage.
This approach aims at a simple objective : to offer organizations a cloud on which they can rely sustainably, even in crisis situations.
Conclusion : trust as a new cloud standard
The cloud is entering a new phase of maturity. Performance remains necessary, but it is no longer sufficient. Companies must now integrate deeper criteria :
- security,
- resilience,
- sovereignty,
- governance,
- responsibility.
The trusted cloud thus becomes a strategic advantage, a differentiator and an essential foundation to support future digital transformations.
