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Encryption with STACKIT

End-to-End Protection and Data Sovereignty in the Cloud
Abstract digital network featuring glowing padlocks as a hero banner for data security, encryption technologies, and secure IT infrastructure.

September 14, 2026, ⏱️ Reading time: approx. 6 min.

Encryption: Key Takeaways

  • End-to-End Protection: Modern encryption secures sensitive data across all three states – at rest (Data at Rest), in transit (Data in Transit), and during active processing (Data in Use).
  • Confidential Computing: Hardware-based isolation (Trusted Execution Environments) and technologies such as STACKIT Confidential Kubernetes keep processes protected against unauthorized access even while being processed.
  • Full Control & Compliance: The infrastructure is operated in GDPR-compliant European data centers, enabling companies to manage their own cryptographic keys (Key Management) for maximum data sovereignty.

Encryption with STACKIT: How to Keep Your Confidential Data Truly Confidential

Imagine if your sensitive or private data were delivered to the recipient by courier only after a signature was provided, similar to registered mail. But in the digital world, information doesn’t travel physically and sealed—instead, it travels as digital data packets from one cloud to the next, through networks, and across national borders. Who can guarantee that no one will intercept, decrypt, or manipulate the data along the way?

This is exactly where modern encryption methods—known as “encryption”—come into play. These methods ensure that information and messages can only be read in plain text by authorized individuals. This remains true even when the data is in transit or being actively processed. Access to the content remains protected until it is decrypted with the correct key.

For companies, this is no longer just a nice-to-have—it’s a core requirement. Especially in sensitive sectors such as government, healthcare, or e-commerce, the quality of encryption determines whether data protection and security actually work.

STACKIT uses a robust solution—with modern encryption methods, transparent architecture, and maximum control over your cloud data. The infrastructure was developed in Germany and meets the highest standards for security and compliance.

Key Terms Related to Encryption with STACKIT

Encryption with STACKIT: Your Benefits at a Glance

Protection in all operating states

STACKIT encrypts data end-to-end—whether at rest or in transit. Symmetric and asymmetric encryption methods ensure that attackers don’t stand a chance. They consistently protect private data, confidential messages, and applications from unauthorized access.

Ensure Compliance

STACKIT supports compliance with regulations such as the GDPR, BSI C5, and ISO 27001. The use of secure encryption algorithms, strong authentication, and technical traceability also meets the requirements of government agencies and highly regulated sectors.

Automate Key Management

Cryptographic key management is automated. Remote attestation and regular rotation enhance security—for example, through a predefined algorithm for key verification—and reduce manual effort without compromising the protection of sensitive information.

Ensuring data sovereignty and control

STACKIT operates its infrastructure exclusively in Europe. Companies and individuals retain control over their encrypted data, can integrate their own key pairs, and manage their access rights themselves—independent of global providers.

Secure migration and scalable use

New applications and resources can also be securely migrated to the public cloud and operated flexibly. STACKIT protects encrypted emails and enables secure communication—even as data volumes grow.

How Encryption Works at STACKIT in Detail

STACKIT employs a multi-layered encryption approach that protects data throughout its entire lifecycle—from storage to transmission to processing. It utilizes established encryption methods, modern software, and flexible key management that can be tailored to individual requirements.

Storage: Symmetric Standards with Controlled Key Management

All data in object storage is automatically secured using symmetric encryption standards with secure key lengths. If needed, companies can integrate their own key management system to retain control over their key pairs and private data. This ensures data protection, integrity, and security from a technical standpoint.

Transmission: Secure Communication—Even Over Public Networks

STACKIT uses modern protocols such as TLS for data transmission. Whether between applications, data centers, or users—every message is transmitted in encrypted form and remains protected from unauthorized access even on public networks. Only authorized recipients can decrypt the text. Authentication and state-of-the-art encryption algorithms protect against attacks and unauthorized access.

Processing: Confidential Computing Protects Running Processes

Even during processing, sensitive data remains secure—thanks to Confidential Computing. Hardware-based isolation techniques protect resources and applications in memory. Even administrators with elevated privileges cannot decrypt the data. The plaintext remains hidden. STACKIT thus follows the zero-trust principle and supports secure software development directly in the cloud—even in systems based on asymmetric encryption methods.

Technological Implementation: Kubernetes and Attested Servers

STACKIT Confidential Kubernetes provides isolated, encrypted clusters. Before each startup, an attestation verifies the integrity of the system. The STACK Confidential Server extends this protection through hardware-backed encryption of virtual machines. Even privileged users are denied access to sensitive content or the secret code. Both solutions are designed for flexible cloud applications and the development of security-critical infrastructure.

Encryption with STACKIT in Practice

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End-to-End Encryption in the Public Sector

With STACKIT, local governments can securely store and process sensitive citizen data in the public cloud—for example, in registration systems or for social services. End-to-end encryption ensures that confidential information can only be read with the correct key. For internal communication, the Messenger Wire is used—a solution that reliably protects confidential messages while complying with all GDPR requirements.

More information on the public sector
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Patient Safety in the Digital Health Sector

Medical platforms in the healthcare sector can use STACKIT Confidential Kubernetes to encrypt patient data end-to-end—at rest, in transit, and even during processing in telemedicine applications. Secure key management and strong authentication methods ensure compliance with the highest standards for data protection, integrity, and traceability. This offers a clear advantage when collaborating with hospitals, pharmacies, and IT service providers.

Go to the Healthcare Industry Page
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High-Performance Data Encryption in E-Commerce

With STACKIT, online retailers can encrypt confidential communications, customer data, payment information, and usage analytics—even under heavy load or within complex digital commerce solutions. Automated key pair management makes it possible to quickly integrate new encrypted applications. At the same time, high-performance data encryption ensures reliable protection against attacks and strengthens customer trust in the store’s digital security infrastructure.

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Practical Tips: How to Get the Most Out of Encryption with STACKIT

Anyone processing sensitive data in the cloud should not only enable encryption but also strategically implement it as the default. The following tips will help ensure that encryption solutions truly deliver data security and control in day-to-day business operations.

  • Automate encryption and key management: Integrate encryption directly into your CI/CD pipelines. This secures your resources, speeds up deployments, and eliminates sources of manual error—while maintaining maximum control over key assignment.
  • Build security into the architecture from the start: Plan encryption methods for greater security right from the beginning—not as an afterthought. This helps you avoid security vulnerabilities and increases the resilience of your applications during operation.
  • Continuously monitor keys and encryption status: Rely on monitoring and auditing to keep track of your keys’ usage and status at all times. This allows you to detect anomalies early and respond quickly in an emergency.
  • Regularly verify the integrity of your systems: Use remote attestation to ensure that only trusted systems are allowed to access keys. Verification prior to authorization increases transparency, including for auditors.
  • Deliberately separate infrastructure and key management: For particularly high security requirements, an external key management process is recommended. This allows you to maintain full control over symmetric and asymmetric key pairs—regardless of the cloud infrastructure used.
  • Train your team in the secure use of encryption: Regularly raise employees’ awareness of secure authentication and the encryption and decryption of data. After all, even the best technology is only as good as the people who use it.
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Encryption with STACKIT – Secure, Reliable, Scalable

Encryption isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a fundamental requirement for sustainable IT security. What’s needed is end-to-end protection, verifiable compliance, and full control over private data. STACKIT offers a reliable solution you can trust—whether you’re in public administration, healthcare, or e-commerce. With our encryption infrastructure, you’re relying on a standard that scales flexibly and protects your business for the long term.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Encryption with STACKIT