GitHub Introduces Local Data Storage in the EU: A Step Towards Data Residency
Customers of GitHub Enterprise Cloud will be able to store their data within the EU from 29 October 2024. This new feature, known as “data residency”, aims to meet the requirements of enterprise customers and take into account the strict data protection laws of the EU.
Key Insights
- Introduction of Data Residency: From 29 October 2024, GitHub Enterprise customers will be able to store their data in the EU.
- Future Expansion: Following the EU, Australia, Asia, and Latin America will follow.
- Security Commitment: GitHub uses Microsoft’s Azure data centres to ensure the security of the data.
Introduction of Data Residency
The introduction of data residency is a significant step for GitHub to meet the needs of its enterprise customers. The decision to initially offer this feature in the EU is due to the strict data protection laws that apply in the region, including the GDPR, the Digital Markets Act, and the AI Act.
Customer Requests and Early Users
Data residency can currently only be requested through an account manager at GitHub or Microsoft. Among the first customers to benefit from this new feature are well-known companies such as Zeiss and the Volkswagen software division Cariad.
Use of Copilot
It is important to note that the location of the enterprise repositories does not affect the use of GitHub’s AI tool Copilot. GitHub has clarified that requests for Copilot are processed by the nearest data centre. However, if an employee works closer to a data centre outside the EU, the requests will be processed there.
Security and Microsoft's Azure
Data residency is supported by Microsoft data centres. Despite recent security incidents where hackers accessed Azure cloud services, Microsoft has launched the “Secure Future Initiative” to improve cybersecurity. GitHub is working closely with Microsoft to ensure that the security requirements of customers and governments are met.
Conclusion
The introduction of data residency by GitHub is a significant step towards data protection and security for European companies. With the ability to store data locally, customers can ensure that they comply with the strict legal requirements of the EU. The future expansion into other regions demonstrates GitHub’s commitment to serving the global market while addressing the data protection concerns of its customers.