Partner Content What happens when your company’s future depends on a service controlled by another country that loves trade fights, tariffs, and industrial-scale surveillance? That’s the risk for European businesses relying on American providers; a single political move can disrupt operations overnight.
Remember the Schrems II case ruling? That legal earthquake invalidated the EU-US Privacy Shield, leaving European businesses scrambling to explain to regulators why their customer data was still vacationing on a Californian server farm. Here’s a shocker for the GDPR crowd: The US CLOUD Act grants American authorities access to your data, even when stored in Europe, creating a direct conflict with EU laws.
Meanwhile, the “free market” in the European cybersecurity industry is starting to look a lot like “subject to the mood swings of US sanctions, trade wars, and occasional ‘oops, we killed your cloud’ moments.” According to recent stats, three out of four (74 percent) of European companies are still hooked on American B2B providers, ignoring the inevitable legal and financial risks.
This dependency on US cybersecurity providers exposes European businesses to unprecedented risks in an era where EU cybersecurity regulations demand local control and data sovereignty.
Hidden costs of US cybersecurity dependency for european businesses
The real cost of US-based solutions goes far beyond invoices and subscription fees. It isn’t just measured in euros, dollars, or whatever crypto Elon Musk is shilling this week. It’s measured in regulatory challenges, geopolitical instability, and sleepless nights for your CISO.
- Regulatory exposure: The US CLOUD Act and GDPR are fundamentally at odds. While GDPR demands strict data privacy for EU citizens, the CLOUD Act empowers US authorities to demand access, regardless of where data resides. NIS2 and the Cyber Resilience Act raise the stakes even higher, exposing European companies to fines and legal jeopardy.
- Geopolitical instability: US sanctions can act as a kill switch. US authorities can cut off your cloud access instantly, turning export controls into operational chaos. The CLOUD Act allows American officials to access EU data, even when GDPR says no way.
- Economic coercion: Tech access is increasingly weaponized in trade wars. The infamous “Google tax” disputes and $123B digital services deficit highlight just how dependent Europe is on American platforms.
- Mass surveillance: NSA surveillance programs have demonstrated how US cloud services can become conduits for espionage, undermining both corporate and national security.
European cybersecurity innovation: building digital sovereignty
Europe is taking the initiative and setting new standards. Instead of patching vulnerabilities, European leaders and regulators are constructing a robust digital ecosystem from the ground up. This isn’t just political rhetoric; 92 percent of IT leaders now see sovereignty as key to operational resilience.
With every regulation passed, every startup funded, and every sovereign cloud launched, European position as a global cybersecurity powerhouse strengthens. This shift is visible in the numbers:
- Market growth: The European cybersecurity market is expected to hit $76.21 billion in 2025 and $194.43 billion by 2033.
- IT spending: According to Gartner’s latest forecast, IT spending in Europe will reach $1.28 trillion in 2025, up 8.7 percent from 2024. By the end of 2024, European IT spendings are expected to total $1.18 trillion.
- Startup investment: Investment in European cybersecurity startups has surged, with over $50 million raised for open-source threat intelligence platforms in France alone.
Top 10 European cybersecurity companies: GDPR-compliant alternatives
Below, you’ll find the top 10 European cybersecurity alternatives, each offering full compliance, data residency, and business continuity:
Withsecure Elements (Finland)
Specializes in extended detection and response (XDR), endpoint protection, cloud security, and collaboration protection.
- Founded: 2022
- US alternatives: CrowdStrike Falcon, Microsoft Defender, and SentinelOne
Oodrive (France)
A leading European provider of secure cloud services, focusing on data storage, electronic signatures, and document management for enterprises and regulated industries.
- Founded: 2000
- US alternatives: Box, Dropbox Business, DocuSign
Proton (Switzerland)
Proton provides privacy-first email, VPN, and cloud storage, leveraging Swiss data protection laws and end-to-end encryption for individuals and businesses.
- Founded: 2014
- US alternatives: Gmail, Outlook, Google Drive
Darktrace (UK)
An established European innovator using AI to detect threats, secure networks, and protect email, delivering autonomous cyber defense for critical sectors.
- Founded: 2013
- US alternatives: Vectra AI, ExtraHop, Abnormal Security
Cyberr (Luxembourg)
Cyberr tackles the cybersecurity talent gap with an AI-powered recruitment platform for matching skilled professionals to critical roles.
- Founded: 2024
- US alternatives: CyberSN, Dice, eFinancialCareers
Dattak (France)
A European SaaS solution integrating cyber insurance, managed detection and response, and vulnerability management, offering proactive protection for businesses of any size.
- Founded: 2021
- US alternative: Coalition, At-Bay, Cowbell Cyber
Dream on Technology (France)
Dream On Technology offers a SaaS platform for crisis management and incident response, powered by an AI assistant for SMEs and mid-sized businesses.
- Founded: 2024
- US alternative: Balbix, Immersive Labs, Cyberbit
Eye Security (Netherlands)
Eye Security delivers comprehensive cybersecurity, MDR, insurance, and incident response tailored for small and medium-sized businesses.
- Founded: 2020
- US alternative: Arctic Wolf, Rapid7, CrowdStrike
Filigran (France)
Filigran specializes in open-source cyber threat intelligence, crisis management, and attack simulation platforms for enterprises and security teams.
- Founded: 2022
- US alternative: MISP, Recorded Future, ThreatConnect
Passwork (Spain)
Leading European solution for enterprise password management and privileged access, trusted by financial, healthcare, government, and industrial organizations to secure sensitive data and ensure compliance.
- Founded: 2014
- US alternative: LastPass, 1Password, Bitwarden, Keeper
Why European cybersecurity solutions win
Compliance with EU regulations
European cybersecurity market leaders ensure strict adherence to GDPR, with data stored in Europe and privacy-first solutions. They meet requirements of NIS2 for critical infrastructure, DORA for financial sector resilience, the EU Cybersecurity Act for certification, and eIDAS for digital identification standards.
Technological independence
Data is hosted in European data centers, outside US jurisdiction. Sovereign cloud infrastructure gives you full control, protecting your business from sanctions and ensuring continuity even during geopolitical tensions.
Tailored for European business
Local support in your language and regional expertise make integration with European security frameworks seamless.
Business advantages
Stable pricing in euros removes currency fluctuation risks, transparent taxation ensures EU compliance, and ESG alignment helps meet European sustainability standards.
Migration plan from US solutions
Stage 1: Dependency audit (1–2 months)
Start by identifying every US cybersecurity solution lurking in your infrastructure. Assess how vulnerable you are to sanctions or a surprise “kill switch” moment. Don’t forget to check where your setup flunks GDPR and NIS2.
Stage 2: Selection of European alternatives (1 month)
Next, put European cybersecurity solutions to the test. See which ones actually work with your current systems instead of just looking good in glossy brochures. Map out your migration plan, preferably one that doesn’t involve crossing your fingers and hoping for the best.
Stage 3: Pilot implementation (2–3 months)
Deploy your chosen platforms in a test environment. Train your team so they don’t treat new tools like alien technology. Make sure GDPR compliance actually works.
Stage 4: Full migration (3–6 months)
Finally, move everything over in stages, saying goodbye to American solutions with minimal drama. Achieve technological independence and enjoy watching the next round of sanctions from a safe distance.
Real-life scenarios
- Automotive manufacturer: Imagine a carmaker grappling with the risk of trade sanctions against American cloud solutions. In this case, migrating to a European tech stack, such as WithSecure Elements for security, Passwork for password management, and Darktrace for AI-driven threat detection, provides full independence from US tech giants and ensures GDPR compliance.
- Bank: Consider a bank confronted by the CLOUD Act, which enables US authorities to demand access to client data stored with American providers. By switching to Oodrive for secure storage, Eviden MSS for managed security, and Filigran for threat intelligence, the bank can safeguard banking secrecy and protect sensitive customer information from foreign intervention.
- Energy company: Picture an energy company worried about the activation of a “kill switch” in imported technology, threatening the stability of critical infrastructure. Adopting WithSecure Elements for security, Dream On Technology for incident response, and Passwork for password management delivers energy safety without American risks.
Regain control
Digital sovereignty is a business imperative. European cybersecurity alternatives offer the technical excellence, regulatory compliance, and strategic independence that modern businesses demand.
The choice is stark: either continue building on a geopolitical fault line or invest in European cybersecurity solutions that put your data sovereignty first. The next move is yours — and Europe’s digital future depends on it.
Contributed by Passwork.