Container orchestrationEU infrastructureManaged operations

Managed Kubernetes (sovereign)

Kubernetes is the standard for running containers at scale, but the managed offerings from the major hyperscalers fall under non-European jurisdiction. Appfront builds and operates Kubernetes environments on EU-based, sovereign infrastructure, so you get the benefits of container orchestration without moving your data outside the EU. We handle the applications, the cluster setup and the ongoing management.

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What is sovereign managed Kubernetes?

Kubernetes automates the deployment, scaling and management of containerised applications. The managed Kubernetes services of the large American cloud providers are powerful, but they fall under the US CLOUD Act. A sovereign variant runs on EU-based infrastructure and keeps your workloads and data under European jurisdiction.

Because Kubernetes is built on open standards, it is ideally suited to a sovereign or portable setup: the same containers can run across different EU providers or in your own data centre. Appfront sets up the cluster, builds your applications to be container-native and takes on the ongoing management.

How we approach this

1
Discovery
We map out your current situation, applications and requirements.
2
Design and planning
We design the solution and draw up an approach tailored to your requirements.
3
Build or migrate
We build or migrate step by step, with attention to integrations and security.
4
Operations and ongoing development
After go-live, we provide monitoring, maintenance and ongoing development.

What we build and manage

Cluster setup
We set up Kubernetes clusters on EU infrastructure, securely configured.
Container-native applications
We build or rebuild applications so they run well in containers.
CI/CD pipelines
Automated deployment with tests and checks.
Observability
Monitoring, logging and alerting across the cluster and the applications.
Security
Network policies, secrets management, role-based access and updates.
Ongoing management
We take over the management of the cluster and the workloads.

For whom

Organisations running containers

Organisations that want Kubernetes without being locked into a hyperscaler.

Government and healthcare

Sectors that need to keep container workloads under EU jurisdiction.

Scalable applications

Systems that need to scale flexibly with demand.

Teams without their own platform team

Organisations that want to outsource cluster management.

Technology and approach

We build with the open Kubernetes standard and infrastructure as code, so your workloads remain portable between EU providers and your own data centre. No dependence on proprietary hyperscaler services.

Kubernetes
Docker / OCI containers
Helm
Infrastructure as Code (Terraform)
GitOps
Prometheus / Grafana
OWASP security
EU-based infrastructure

Why Appfront

Appfront combines application development with platform expertise. We don't just build your software; we also set up the environment it runs in, keeping it sovereign and under control.

  • Kubernetes on EU infrastructure
  • Container-native custom development
  • Ongoing management and monitoring
  • Open standards to avoid lock-in

Related services

Also read about setting up a sovereign cloud and migrating applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes managed Kubernetes sovereign?
Sovereign means the underlying infrastructure runs with an EU-based provider and falls under EU law, rather than with a hyperscaler subject to the US CLOUD Act. The Kubernetes standard itself is open and neutral.
Why not simply use a hyperscaler's managed Kubernetes?
Those services are powerful, but management and data fall under non-European jurisdiction, and you are often tied to their specific services. For organisations with sovereignty or portability requirements, an EU-based setup is more suitable.
Do you also take on the management?
Yes. We set up the cluster and take on the ongoing management: updates, monitoring, security and scalability, so your team can focus on the application.
Can existing applications move to Kubernetes?
Often, yes. We assess whether your application is suitable for containerisation and draw up a plan, sometimes with changes to the architecture.
Won't I be tied to you, then?
No. We build with open standards and infrastructure as code, and document the setup, so you can move or take over the management yourself.
Does this also work in a hybrid setup?
Yes. Kubernetes lends itself well to hybrid arrangements, where workloads run partly in your own data centre and partly with an EU provider.

Get started with managed Kubernetes

Do you want containers running on sovereign infrastructure, with the management outsourced? We're happy to help you think it through.

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