# MariaDB Competence Center Switzerland

> Fully managed MariaDB instances on Swiss cloud infrastructure. Automated backups, high availability, and 24/7 support from VSHN, your MariaDB experts.


Fully managed MariaDB instances on Swiss cloud infrastructure from CHF 80 per month. VSHN is an official MariaDB partner handling operations, backups, and high availability so your team can focus on building.


## Pages

- [Homepage](https://www.mariadb.ch/): Managed MariaDB in Switzerland – Dedicated Hosting | VSHN
- [MariaDB Hosting Compared: Cloud vs Managed | VSHN](https://www.mariadb.ch/comparison.md)
- [Partner with VSHN on Managed MariaDB | VSHN](https://www.mariadb.ch/partners.md)
- [MariaDB Sovereignty — Swiss Database Hosting | VSHN](https://www.mariadb.ch/sovereignty.md)

## Features

- **Fully Managed Operations**: VSHN handles all operational tasks including MariaDB version updates, security patches, configuration tuning, and infrastructure maintenance. No database expertise required on your side - we run it for you, from provisioning through day-two operations.

- **High Availability & Replication**: Run MariaDB with up to three replicas for automatic failover and zero-downtime maintenance. Guaranteed availability plans deliver 99.99% uptime with replicated configurations, so your applications stay online even during infrastructure events.

- **Swiss Cloud Hosting**: Deploy on Swiss cloud providers including cloudscale.ch and Exoscale, both operating data centers exclusively in Switzerland, on Enterprise Private Cloud, on-premises, or on international platforms. VSHN is Swiss-owned with no foreign parent company. All contracts are governed by Swiss law with no exposure to the US CLOUD Act. Encryption with customer-controlled keys is available optionally via Securosys CloudHSM, a Swiss hardware security module where VSHN cannot access the key material. Your data stays where you choose. Learn more in our [sovereignty assessment](/sovereignty/).

- **Automated Backups**: Daily automated backups run without intervention, with six retained by default and configurable retention policies. Data on running instances is encrypted at rest by the underlying cloud platform. Backup infrastructure is powered by K8up on Kubernetes. Up to 500 GB of database storage is supported per instance.

- **Open Source Foundation**: MariaDB is one of the most popular open-source relational databases, valued for its performance, stability, and openness. It is a drop-in replacement for MySQL, backed by the MariaDB Foundation and a global community. No license surprises, no vendor lock-in.

- **Self-Service Provisioning**: New MariaDB instances provision automatically via Kubernetes custom resources or the Open Service Broker API - no tickets, no waiting. Multiple logical databases and user accounts per instance, with super-user access included.


## Included in a VSHN-managed MariaDB Service

- Provisioning on cloudscale.ch, Exoscale, or your managed OpenShift platform
- Automated daily backups with configurable retention
- Data encrypted at rest by the underlying cloud platform
- Proactive monitoring, alerting, and daily health checks
- Version updates and security patches - CVEs applied immediately
- 24/7 incident response with defined SLA escalation paths
- Access to VSHN engineers via chat and ticket system
- Written service agreement with transparent pricing

## Trusted by Swiss organizations

- [acrevis](https://www.vshn.ch/en/success-stories/acrevis/)
- [Sobrado](https://www.vshn.ch/en/success-stories/sobrado/)
- [CG24 Group](https://www.vshn.ch/en/success-stories/cg24group/)

## Managed MariaDB FAQ

### What is a managed MariaDB service?

A managed MariaDB service means VSHN takes full operational responsibility for your MariaDB database. We provision the infrastructure on your chosen cloud provider - whether cloudscale.ch, Exoscale, AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure - install and configure MariaDB, apply updates, perform automated daily backups, and monitor the service 24/7. You connect to a production-ready, enterprise-grade relational database without managing any infrastructure yourself.


### What is MariaDB?

MariaDB is one of the most popular open-source relational databases in the world. Created by the original developers of MySQL, it is a drop-in replacement that offers improved performance, additional storage engines, and a commitment to remaining open source. MariaDB is backed by the MariaDB Foundation and used by organizations of all sizes - small teams, mid-market companies, major enterprises, and government agencies.


### What SLA do you offer for managed MariaDB?

We offer two service tiers. The best-effort plan at CHF 0.11 per hour runs a single instance and is ideal for development environments and non-critical workloads. Our guaranteed availability plan at CHF 0.99 per hour runs three replicas and delivers 99.99% uptime with automatic failover. All SLA commitments are documented in a written service agreement signed before deployment begins.


### What MariaDB versions are supported?

VSHN supports MariaDB LTS releases: 10.6, 10.11, and 11.4. Patch updates are applied automatically; minor and major version upgrades are performed manually with coordination. Security CVE patches are applied immediately regardless of the maintenance window. We help you plan version upgrades well ahead of end-of-life dates.


### How are backups handled?

Backups run automatically every day using K8up-powered backup infrastructure on Kubernetes. Six backups are retained by default, with configurable retention policies available. Data on running instances is encrypted at rest by the underlying cloud platform. Up to 500 GB of database storage is supported per instance. We recommend testing restores regularly as part of your disaster recovery plan, and VSHN engineers can assist with restore procedures.


### How is managed MariaDB priced?

VSHN-managed MariaDB starts from CHF 0.11 per hour for a best-effort single instance. The guaranteed availability tier with three replicas and automatic failover starts from CHF 0.99 per hour. Computing resources are charged separately based on your chosen instance size. All prices exclude VAT. Contact us for a personalized quote - we provide a written cost estimate within one business day.


### Can I run MariaDB on Swiss cloud infrastructure?

Yes. VSHN deploys managed MariaDB on Swiss cloud providers by default, including cloudscale.ch and Exoscale, both of which operate data centres exclusively in Switzerland. For full control, we also deploy on Enterprise Private Cloud (dedicated infrastructure in your own data centre). We also support AWS (Zurich region), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure where Swiss regions are available. Your data sovereignty requirements are documented in the service agreement. See our [sovereignty assessment](/sovereignty/) for details on how VSHN scores against the EU Cloud Sovereignty Framework.


### Is MariaDB compatible with MySQL?

Yes. MariaDB is a drop-in replacement for MySQL, meaning most MySQL clients, drivers, and applications work with MariaDB without code changes. MariaDB supports the MySQL wire protocol, so existing connection strings typically require only a host change. It also offers additional features such as the Aria and ColumnStore storage engines, improved query optimization, and better replication performance. VSHN can advise on migration from MySQL to MariaDB.


### Does VSHN offer MariaDB on Kubernetes?

Yes. VSHN provides managed MariaDB on Kubernetes via APPUiO, our Swiss Kubernetes managed platform. Instances provision automatically via Kubernetes custom resources - request a new database with a single manifest and VSHN handles the rest. The same 99.99% SLA, automated backups, and 24/7 engineering support apply. This approach reduces latency by placing MariaDB inside your cluster and eliminates egress costs.


### How do I get started with managed MariaDB?

Contact us using the form below. Tell us your expected database size, query volume, preferred cloud provider - for example cloudscale.ch, Exoscale, AWS, or Google Cloud - and whether you need guaranteed availability with replication. We provide a written requirements analysis and cost estimate within one business day. There is no commitment at the requirements stage. Once you decide to proceed, your MariaDB instance is typically production-ready within two business days.


### Can I migrate from Oracle or MySQL to managed MariaDB?

Yes. MariaDB is a drop-in replacement for MySQL. Most applications work without code changes, requiring only a connection string update. For Oracle migrations, MariaDB provides Migration Factory tooling that automates schema and data conversion. VSHN supports migration planning as a managed service: we assess your current database, design the target architecture on Swiss cloud infrastructure, and execute the migration with rollback plans. Contact us through the form below to discuss your migration path.


### Is VSHN a MariaDB partner?

VSHN is pursuing formal MariaDB partnership certification to complement our existing managed MariaDB service. Our database engineers have operated MariaDB in production for years across Swiss financial services, healthcare, and public sector customers. Switzerland ranks fourth globally by MariaDB community downloads, reflecting strong local adoption. VSHN currently operates MariaDB Community Edition and can advise on upgrading to MariaDB Enterprise for customers requiring vendor-backed support and advanced features such as MaxScale and Galera clustering.


### Can agencies or consulting firms use managed MariaDB for client projects?

Yes. Agencies and consulting firms regularly use VSHN-managed MariaDB for client database infrastructure. Each client gets a dedicated, isolated MariaDB instance on Swiss cloud, with no shared resources, no cross-client data exposure. VSHN handles operations, backups, and 24/7 monitoring so your team can focus on application delivery. Billing is per instance with written service agreements, making it straightforward to pass costs through to your client engagements.


## Contact us

Ready to run MariaDB without the operational burden? Order directly on Servala at servala.com/service/mariadb/ or contact us for a free requirements analysis and quote. Want to hear from a customer first? We can arrange a reference call.


Booking: #contact

---

## MariaDB Hosting Compared: Cloud vs Managed | VSHN

# Hyperscaler Database vs Private Cloud Managed MariaDB

MariaDB is the default MySQL-compatible database in most Linux distributions and powers millions of web applications, SaaS platforms, and e-commerce systems. When it is time to move beyond a single self-managed instance, you face a choice: use a hyperscaler's managed MySQL service, a specialist database provider, or a private-cloud managed service.

This comparison covers six options available to Swiss organizations today.

## Quick comparison

| | AWS RDS | Google Cloud SQL | PlanetScale | Aiven | Self-Hosted | VSHN Managed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Data location** | EU (Frankfurt, Zurich) | EU (Zurich) | US, EU (AWS regions) | EU (various) | Your choice | Your choice (Swiss cloud or on-premises) |
| **Jurisdiction** | US (CLOUD Act) | US (CLOUD Act) | US | Finnish company, US infra | Your jurisdiction | Swiss company, Swiss or your infrastructure |
| **Data sovereignty** | Limited | Limited | Limited | EU company, US infra | Full control | Full — Swiss operations, your infrastructure |
| **Ops model** | Fully managed by AWS | Fully managed by Google | Serverless, managed | Fully managed by Aiven | You manage everything | VSHN manages, you control infrastructure |
| **SLA** | 99.95% (Multi-AZ) | 99.95% (regional) | 99.999% (Enterprise) | 99.99% (Premium) | None (your own) | Up to 99.99% |
| **MySQL compatibility** | Full (runs MySQL or MariaDB) | Full (runs MySQL) | Vitess-based — partial | Full (runs MySQL) | Full (native MariaDB) | Full (native MariaDB with Galera Cluster) |
| **Open source** | Proprietary platform | Proprietary platform | Proprietary (Vitess fork) | Proprietary platform | Fully open source | Fully open source (MariaDB Galera Cluster) |
| **Vendor lock-in** | High (AWS ecosystem) | High (GCP ecosystem) | High (proprietary branching, Vitess) | Medium (multi-cloud) | None | None — runs on any infrastructure |
| **Starting price** | ~$140/month (db.t3.medium, Multi-AZ) | ~$110/month (db-custom, regional HA) | $29/month (Scaler, limited) | ~$170/month (Business) | $0 (software) + ops team | CHF 80/month (single), CHF 720/month (HA with SLA) |

## AWS RDS for MariaDB

[Amazon RDS](https://aws.amazon.com/rds/mariadb/) supports both MySQL and MariaDB engines. It handles provisioning, patching, backups, and Multi-AZ failover.

**Strengths:**

- Mature service running since 2014 for MariaDB
- Zurich region (eu-central-2) available
- Automated backups with point-in-time recovery up to 35 days
- Read replicas for scaling read-heavy workloads
- Deep integration with AWS services (Lambda, IAM, Secrets Manager)

**Limitations:**

- **US jurisdiction.** Amazon is subject to the CLOUD Act. A Zurich region does not change the legal exposure. US authorities can compel data access.
- **No Swiss cloud or on-premises option.** AWS RDS runs exclusively on AWS infrastructure. No deployment on cloudscale.ch, Exoscale, or your own data centre.
- AWS lock-in: VPC, IAM, and monitoring are AWS-specific. Migrating away requires re-architecting your connectivity layer.
- MariaDB version support lags behind upstream releases
- Pricing combines instance hours, storage, IOPS, and backup. Monthly bills are hard to forecast

**Best for:** Teams already on AWS who accept US jurisdiction and want minimal setup effort.

See our [MariaDB sovereignty assessment](/sovereignty/) for a detailed comparison of jurisdictional risk.

## Google Cloud SQL for MySQL

[Cloud SQL](https://cloud.google.com/sql/docs/mysql) runs MySQL (not MariaDB directly) but is MySQL wire-compatible. The Zurich region (europe-west6) keeps data in Switzerland.

**Strengths:**

- Zurich data center with sub-millisecond latency from Swiss infrastructure
- Automated backups, failover, and maintenance
- Good integration with Google Kubernetes Engine and Cloud Run
- Straightforward pricing model compared to AWS

**Limitations:**

- **Runs MySQL, not MariaDB.** If your application relies on MariaDB-specific features (Galera Cluster, Aria storage engine, sequence tables, Oracle-mode syntax), Cloud SQL is not a drop-in replacement.
- **Same US jurisdiction issue as AWS.** Google is subject to the CLOUD Act regardless of data location.
- **No Swiss cloud or on-premises option.** Cloud SQL runs exclusively on Google infrastructure. No deployment on cloudscale.ch, Exoscale, or your own data centre.
- GCP lock-in: IAM, networking, and logging are GCP-specific
- Major version upgrades require downtime
- No Galera clustering for multi-primary replication

**Best for:** GCP-native teams using standard MySQL syntax without MariaDB-specific features.

See our [MariaDB sovereignty assessment](/sovereignty/) for a detailed comparison of jurisdictional risk.

## PlanetScale

PlanetScale is a serverless MySQL-compatible database built on Vitess, the sharding middleware originally created at YouTube. It offers branch-based schema management and auto-scaling.

**Strengths:**

- Branch-based schema migrations: test schema changes before deploying to production
- Auto-scaling with no manual capacity planning
- Fast query analytics and insights dashboard
- Good developer experience for application teams

**Limitations:**

- **Not actually MySQL or MariaDB.** PlanetScale runs Vitess, which imposes restrictions: no foreign keys (by design), no stored procedures, no triggers, limited JOIN support across shards. Applications relying on these features cannot migrate without code changes.
- US company, US-hosted. No Swiss or even EU-only deployment option.
- Enterprise tier required for dedicated resources and SOC 2 compliance
- No self-hosted option, fully SaaS with no way to run on your infrastructure
- Pricing based on rows read/written. Costs are unpredictable for write-heavy workloads

**Best for:** Startups building new applications that can work within Vitess constraints and do not need data residency.

## Aiven for MySQL

Aiven deploys managed MySQL on AWS, GCP, or Azure in your chosen region. Like the PostgreSQL offering, it provides a multi-cloud abstraction layer.

**Strengths:**

- EU-headquartered company (Helsinki, Finland)
- Multi-cloud deployment: same provider on AWS, GCP, or Azure
- Terraform provider for infrastructure-as-code management
- Includes connection pooling and query statistics

**Limitations:**

- **Runs MySQL, not MariaDB.** Aiven's MySQL service uses Oracle MySQL, not MariaDB. MariaDB-specific features are not available.
- Deployed on US hyperscaler infrastructure even in EU regions, so CLOUD Act exposure remains via the underlying provider
- No dedicated Swiss region on Swiss-owned infrastructure
- No Galera clustering option
- Premium pricing tier required for 99.99% SLA

**Best for:** Multi-cloud teams wanting MySQL as a service with a single management interface.

## Self-Hosted MariaDB

Running MariaDB on your own servers or cloud VMs gives you complete control. You choose the version, the configuration, and where data lives.

**Strengths:**

- Full control over data location, configuration, and access
- Native MariaDB with all features: Galera Cluster, Aria engine, Oracle-mode syntax
- No per-service fees beyond infrastructure costs
- Can run on Swiss cloud providers (cloudscale.ch, Exoscale)

**Limitations:**

- **Operational overhead is real.** Production MariaDB requires:
  - Backup automation and regular restore testing
  - Galera Cluster setup and split-brain prevention
  - Security patching including zero-day response
  - Monitoring for replication lag, connection limits, and disk usage
  - Major version upgrades with application compatibility testing
  - Performance tuning (query cache, InnoDB buffer pool, thread pool)
- A database administrator in Switzerland costs CHF 120,000-150,000/year
- Galera Cluster is powerful but operationally complex. Node recovery, SST/IST transfers, and quorum management require expertise
- Teams without dedicated DBA capacity often run outdated versions with untested backups

**Best for:** Organisations with a dedicated database team that needs full customization.

## VSHN Managed MariaDB

VSHN operates your MariaDB instance on the infrastructure you choose. You get native MariaDB with Galera Cluster for high availability, managed by a Swiss team under Swiss jurisdiction.

**Strengths:**

- **Swiss company, Swiss jurisdiction**: VSHN is headquartered in Zurich. No CLOUD Act exposure through the operations layer.
- **Native MariaDB, not MySQL.** Full compatibility with MariaDB-specific features: Galera Cluster, Aria engine, sequence tables, Oracle-mode syntax.
- **Your infrastructure, your choice**: cloudscale.ch, Exoscale, or on-premises
- Galera Cluster with 3-node replication for high availability and automatic failover
- Automated backups via K8up with configurable schedule and retention
- Up to 99.99% SLA with service credits
- ISO 27001 certified operations since 2014
- Self-service provisioning via Kubernetes API or Servala

**Pricing:**

| Plan | Single instance | Replicated (HA, 3 nodes) |
|---|---|---|
| Best Effort | CHF 80/month | CHF 240/month |
| Guaranteed Availability (99.99% SLA) | — | CHF 720/month |

Computing resources (CPU, memory, storage) are billed separately by the infrastructure provider. Support is available via VSHN support plans.

**Best for:** Swiss companies needing a MySQL-compatible managed database with data sovereignty, predictable costs, and no vendor lock-in.

## MySQL compatibility matters

One detail often overlooked in database comparisons: not all "MySQL-compatible" services run actual MySQL or MariaDB.

| Service | Engine | Foreign keys | Stored procedures | Galera Cluster | MariaDB-specific features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWS RDS | MySQL or MariaDB | Yes | Yes | No | Yes (if MariaDB engine selected) |
| Google Cloud SQL | MySQL | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| PlanetScale | Vitess | No | No | No | No |
| Aiven | MySQL | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Self-Hosted | MariaDB | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| VSHN Managed | MariaDB | Yes | Yes | Yes (3-node Galera) | Yes |

If your application uses foreign keys, stored procedures, or MariaDB-specific features, only AWS RDS (with MariaDB engine), self-hosted, and VSHN Managed are drop-in options.

## The sovereignty question

For Swiss companies subject to data protection regulations, the legal jurisdiction of the service operator matters as much as the physical data location.

| Dimension | AWS RDS / Cloud SQL | PlanetScale | Aiven | Self-Hosted | VSHN Managed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Operating company jurisdiction** | US | US | Finland (EU) | Yours | Switzerland |
| **Infrastructure jurisdiction** | US (even in Zurich region) | US | US (hyperscaler) | Your choice | Your choice |
| **CLOUD Act exposure** | Yes | Yes | Yes (via hyperscaler) | Depends on provider | No (Swiss ops + Swiss cloud option) |
| **FINMA-compatible** | Requires additional controls | No | Requires additional controls | Depends on implementation | Yes, with Swiss cloud infrastructure |

Choosing VSHN with cloudscale.ch or Exoscale eliminates US jurisdiction exposure entirely. Both the operations company and the infrastructure provider are Swiss.

For a detailed sovereignty analysis, see our [MariaDB sovereignty assessment](/sovereignty/).

## When to choose VSHN

VSHN Managed MariaDB fits when:

- Your application needs native MariaDB features (Galera Cluster, Aria, Oracle-mode syntax) that MySQL-only services do not support
- Data must stay under Swiss jurisdiction, not just in a Swiss data centre operated by a US company
- You want high availability with Galera clustering without managing node recovery and quorum yourself
- Your development team should focus on application features, not database operations
- You need predictable monthly costs instead of per-IOPS or per-row pricing that fluctuates

## Next steps

Ready to discuss your MariaDB setup? [Book a free 15-minute call](#contact) with our team. We will review your current workload and recommend the right approach: VSHN, a hyperscaler, or self-hosted.


---

## Partner with VSHN on Managed MariaDB | VSHN

# Partner with VSHN on Managed MariaDB

You bring the customer relationship and database expertise: migration from MySQL or Oracle, query optimisation, application integration. VSHN brings 24/7 managed operations, Swiss data residency, and a 99.99% SLA. Together you deliver a complete managed MariaDB solution without either side building capabilities you don't have.

## How we collaborate

**Lead Partner model.** For each project, one of us is the customer's single point of contact. Who leads depends on the project, agreed per engagement. The Lead Partner drives the project, handles invoicing, and owns first-level support.

**Joint delivery.** You handle consulting, integration, and project management. VSHN handles infrastructure operations, monitoring, backups, and SLA. Or the other way around, depending on the project. Roles are agreed per engagement, not locked into a rigid structure.

**Flexible billing.** Invoice the customer together or separately, agreed per project. Both models are supported: each party invoices their share directly, or one party invoices the full amount and redistributes.

**Protected relationships.** No undercutting. Your customer stays your customer. Existing relationships are respected on both sides, with contractual protections for both parties.

## Division of labour for Managed MariaDB

| Your role | VSHN's role |
|-----------|-------------|
| Database architecture and design | MariaDB instance provisioning and operations |
| Migration from MySQL or Oracle | High availability and replication management |
| Query optimisation and tuning | Backup, PITR, and disaster recovery |
| Application integration and testing | Monitoring, alerting, and 24/7 incident response |
| Project management and customer relationship | Upgrades and security patches |

## Partners delivering Managed MariaDB

**[Inventage](https://inventage.com)**. Swiss software and IT consulting firm. Delivers database migrations and application integration alongside VSHN-operated MariaDB infrastructure.

**[nxt](https://nxt.ch)**. Technology consultancy specialising in digital transformation. Provides architecture consulting and application integration on VSHN-managed MariaDB.

See all VSHN partners at [servala.com/partners](https://servala.com/partners/).

## Become a partner

Interested in delivering managed MariaDB together? Let's explore how we complement each other.

[Book a partnership discovery call](https://aarno.cal.vs.hn/15-mariadb) or [start a partnership conversation](#contact).


---

## MariaDB Sovereignty — Swiss Database Hosting | VSHN

# MariaDB Sovereignty: Why Your Database Is Your Biggest Sovereignty Risk

Your MariaDB database holds PII, financial records, health data, and application state. For Swiss organizations subject to GDPR, FINMA regulations, or internal data governance policies, the jurisdiction governing your database provider matters as much as the database technology itself.

Major cloud database services (Amazon RDS, Azure Database for MySQL, Google Cloud SQL) run on US-owned infrastructure under US law. Your production data, backups, and query logs are accessible under the [CLOUD Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CLOUD_Act) without Swiss judicial process, regardless of which region you select.

Running MariaDB on Swiss infrastructure solves the data residency question, but sovereignty is more than where data is stored. The EU Cloud Sovereignty Framework defines eight dimensions that determine whether your provider is truly sovereign.

## Why MariaDB is a strong choice for sovereignty

MariaDB Server is **fully open source** (GPLv2), created by the original MySQL developers as a community-developed fork. Unlike Oracle MySQL (dual-licensed, Oracle-controlled) or proprietary databases like Microsoft SQL Server, MariaDB provides:

- **No vendor lock-in**: standard SQL, drop-in MySQL compatibility, runs on any Linux distribution
- **Full code auditability**: every line of MariaDB Server is inspectable
- **Community development**: stewarded by the MariaDB Foundation, no single vendor controls the codebase
- **No licence surprises**: GPLv2 guarantees the software remains free and open

VSHN operates MariaDB on Swiss infrastructure with up to 99.99% SLA. Combined with VSHN's Swiss ownership and operations, this creates a fully sovereign database platform.

## Managed MariaDB sovereignty compared

| Dimension | AWS RDS MariaDB | Azure Database for MySQL | GCP Cloud SQL | VSHN Managed MariaDB |
|-----------|----------------|---------------------------|---------------|---------------------|
| **Ownership** | Amazon (USA) | Microsoft (USA) | Google (USA) | VSHN AG (Switzerland) |
| **Governing law** | US law | US law | US law | Swiss law |
| **CLOUD Act** | Exposed | Exposed | Exposed | Not exposed |
| **Licence** | Proprietary service layer | Proprietary service layer | Proprietary service layer | Open source (MariaDB Server, GPLv2) |
| **Key custody** | AWS KMS | Microsoft-managed | Google-managed | Encrypted at rest via cloud provider; optional customer-controlled keys via [Swiss HSM](https://cloud.securosys.com/cloudhsm) |
| **Operations team** | USA | USA | USA | Switzerland ([Swiss-only option](https://products.vshn.ch/support_plans.html#_option_switzerland_only_support)) |

## VSHN sovereignty self-assessment

We applied the EU's [Cloud Sovereignty Framework](https://commission.europa.eu/document/09579818-64a6-4dd5-9577-446ab6219113_en) (v1.2.1, October 2025) to our own services. This framework was used to score providers in the EU's [EUR 180M sovereign cloud tender](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_833) in April 2026. Three pure-European providers achieved SEAL-3, while a consortium involving Google Cloud scored only SEAL-2.

*This is a self-assessment, not a formal SEAL certification. We publish it for transparency so customers can evaluate our sovereignty profile using the same structured criteria the EU uses.*

| # | Dimension | Weight | Assessment | Evidence |
|---|-----------|--------|-----------|----------|
| SOV-1 | Strategic | 15% | **Strong** | Swiss AG, no foreign parent, all shareholders Swiss citizens ([Commercial Register](https://zh.chregister.ch/cr-portal/auszug/auszug.xhtml?uid=CHE-275.566.226)) |
| SOV-2 | Legal | 10% | **Strong** | Swiss law ([GTC](https://products.vshn.ch/legal/gtc_en.html)), no CLOUD Act, [EU adequacy decision](https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection/adequacy-decisions_en) |
| SOV-3 | Data & AI | 10% | **Strong** | Swiss DCs by default. [Managed MariaDB](https://www.mariadb.ch) on cloudscale.ch, Exoscale, or customer infrastructure. Sovereign key management via [Managed OpenBao](https://www.openbao.ch) + [Swiss HSM](https://cloud.securosys.com/cloudhsm) |
| SOV-4 | Operational | 15% | **Strong** | Swiss 24/7 ops, [Swiss-only support option](https://products.vshn.ch/support_plans.html#_option_switzerland_only_support). All services on vanilla Kubernetes |
| SOV-5 | Supply Chain | 20% | **Strong** | Infrastructure-agnostic — [customer chooses provider](https://servala.com/providers/). Open-source software |
| SOV-6 | Technology | 15% | **Strong** | 100% open source. VSHN contributes to [K8up](https://github.com/k8up-io) (CNCF), [Crossplane providers](https://github.com/vshn), [Project Syn](https://github.com/projectsyn) |
| SOV-7 | Security | 10% | **Strong** | [ISO 27001](https://www.vshn.ch/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ISO-27001-certificate-VSHN-2024.pdf), ISAE 3402 Type II, Swiss SOC. [FINMA-regulated customers](https://www.vshn.ch/en/solutions/solutions-for-banks-and-financial-service-providers/) |
| SOV-8 | Environmental | 5% | **Moderate** | DC operators: Green Datacenter AG (ISO 22301/27001/27701), [Exoscale sustainability](https://www.exoscale.com/sustainability/). [VSHN CSR policy](https://handbook.vshn.ch/corporate_social_responsibility_policy.html) |

**Overall: SEAL-3 equivalent**, the same level achieved by the winners of the EU's own sovereignty tender. No provider worldwide achieved SEAL-4: it requires fully EU/EEA-sourced hardware supply chains and open-source foundations, structural gaps shared by every cloud provider.

Try Swiss infrastructure: [Servala](https://www.servala.com) (managed services, free trial), [Exoscale]({{partner:exoscale.signup_url}}) (Swiss IaaS). Want help choosing? [Contact us](#contact).

## Get a sovereignty assessment for your database

Running MariaDB on Amazon RDS, Azure, or Cloud SQL? We assess your sovereignty profile against the EU framework and plan a migration to Swiss-hosted MariaDB, from CHF 80 per month with up to 99.99% SLA.