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What is IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)?

Definition & benefits

Visualization of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) in a data center aisle, featuring a glowing central cloud symbol with IaaS services like compute, storage, and networking icons.

06/08/2026, reading time: 5 minutes

At a glance: What is IaaS?

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a cloud computing model in which basic IT resources such as computing power, storage and network infrastructure are rented via the Internet as needed. As a result, companies save physical hardware costs and scale flexibly.

Key facts about STACKIT IaaS:

  • Architecture: Based entirely on OpenStack to ensure maximum flexibility and prevent vendor lock-in.
  • Security & Compliance: 100% GDPR compliant. Data storage takes place exclusively in European data centers.
  • Certifications: Tested according to the BSI C5 standard (Federal Office for Information Security) and ISO 27001.
  • Sovereignty: As part of the Schwarz Group, STACKIT offers a completely European and digitally sovereign alternative to US hyperscalers, ideal for companies and KRITIS operators.

Secure, Open, Future-Proof: Scalable Cloud Infrastructure Hosted in Germany and Austria

Infrastructure as a Service - IaaS for short - is the foundation of digital business models. STACKIT provides companies, administrations and organizations with a powerful cloud platform that supports innovation, digitalization and transformation in a practical way.

Our cloud offers a scalable, secure and open infrastructure based on modern open source - ideal for building digital applications and platforms. You benefit not only from state-of-the-art technology, but also from the certainty that all data is stored and processed in certified data centers within Germany and Austria. This means you meet the highest data protection and IT compliance requirements - and enjoy personal contact persons on site.

Whether in e-commerce, the public sector, healthcare or for start-ups: with us, you can rely on a superior solution from Germany that combines data protection, compliance and efficient data management, making companies digital and future-proof.

Key technical terms - briefly explained

IaaS with STACKIT in detail: from cloud infrastructure to digital platform

The cloud infrastructure has a modular structure and offers companies exactly the building blocks they need for their digital applications - which can be used individually or freely combined. The focus is not just on computing power, but on a holistic offering that can be flexibly expanded, automated and integrated into existing environments. The cloud solution thus enables the creation of high-performance, secure and future-oriented architectures - from classic workloads to container-based microservices.

Advantages of IaaS with STACKIT

High availability through Metro Setup

The Metro setup automatically distributes virtual machines across multiple Availability Zones (AZs). This minimizes the risk of outages—a critical factor for KRITIS applications, healthcare applications, or e-commerce platforms where every minute counts.

Flexible storage solutions for every use case

Whether block, object, or backup storage: We offer storage options across various performance tiers. This allows you to optimally balance requirements for speed, availability, and budget.

Automation and Self-Service

Resources can be easily and automatically provisioned, managed, and released through our portal or via API. This saves time, reduces effort, and accelerates the deployment of new applications and services.

Security from the start – Security by Default

By default, internet access to VMs is disabled. This allows you to start with a high level of security that can be flexibly adjusted as needed.

Hybrid cloud solutions

STACKIT supports hybrid scenarios. Sensitive data remains on-premises, while less critical workloads can be cost-effectively moved to the cloud—ideal for a controlled transition.

Logical project separation for clear structures

Resources can be organized into projects and separated from one another. This simplifies the management of complex infrastructures, such as those involving multiple business processes, clients, or teams.

Enablement & Consulting for Partners

Channel partners and independent software vendors, in particular, benefit from personalized support and targeted enablement—enabling them to successfully position their own services.

Can be combined with managed services

STACKIT IaaS integrates seamlessly with databases such as MongoDB, messaging services like RabbitMQ, or AI applications — for a fully integrated cloud platform.

Billing based on actual usage

Compute and network resources are billed by the hour, while storage is billed by GB/MB-hours. This allows you to keep track of your costs—without any overprovisioning.

Scalability for startups and digital companies

Innovative companies and startups benefit from on-demand scaling—without high upfront costs, but with full transparency and control.

Examples from practice

Berlin government-district river view

Public sector

A municipality is modernizing its citizen services - from digital applications to intelligent data management. STACKIT IaaS creates secure, scalable server environments that meet the highest data protection requirements. Outdated specialist processes can be migrated quickly - without any hardware of your own.

To the public sector industry solution

What exactly does STACKIT offer?

Virtual machines (VMs)

Powerful, individually configurable server instances for every application.

Block and object storage

Highly available, secure storage for data, backups, media and more.

Network services

Virtual networks, load balancers, firewalls and VPN for secure, flexible connectivity.

Automation & self-service

Resources can be provisioned, managed and automated in minutes via web portal or API.

Integration with open source

Compatible with OpenStack, Kubernetes, Docker and many other open source technologies.

Monitoring & reporting

Transparent monitoring and evaluation of all resources and costs.

How to get started with IaaS with STACKIT: tips from the field

Switching to Infrastructure as a Service has many advantages - provided it is well planned. We have put together some tips and tricks for you to ensure a smooth and successful entry into the cloud infrastructure. Whether you are just starting out or want to further develop your existing environment: Get the most out of your organization with these recommendations.

Start small, grow flexibly

Start with a lean setup and scale your resources step by step as needed. This way, you avoid overprovisioning and keep your costs under control at all times.

Make Full Use of Automation

Abstract representation of cloud automation and digital data processing with binary code via a keyboard.

Rely on Infrastructure-as-Code with tools like Terraform or Ansible. This enables standardized, repeatable deployment and minimizes manual errors.

Build security right in from the start

Luminous blue protective shield symbol with padlock on a circuit board for cybersecurity and data security.

Take advantage of the built-in security features—including network segmentation, firewalls, and monitoring. Keep your systems up to date and minimize your attack surface from the start.

Don't Leave Compliance to Chance

We support you with comprehensive documentation and relevant certifications—useful for GDPR, KRITIS, or industry-specific requirements. This ensures you remain compliant at all times.

Combine services strategically

Expand your infrastructure with additional services: such as RabbitMQ for messaging, Managed MongoDB for databases, or AI services for innovative applications. This creates a modular, high-performance platform.

Choose personal support

IT support employee with customer service headset works concentrated in front of the background of a server room.

Take advantage of our German-speaking support – whether for migration, day-to-day operations, or specific questions. Our expert guidance ensures that your project is on solid ground right from the start.

Keep an eye on the budget

The integrated monitoring tools provide transparency about your resources and costs at all times. In this way, you not only maintain an overview, but also have full cost control.

IaaS - the confident path to the digital future

Sustainable digitalization requires more than just computing power - it requires a trustworthy, powerful and open infrastructure. STACKIT offers exactly that: a superior cloud solution "Made in Germany" that combines security, flexibility and innovative strength.

Whether for the development of digital applications, modern data management or the migration of existing services: We provide the technological basis for successfully implementing digital strategies - data protection-compliant, scalable and independent. By relying on STACKIT today, you create the basis for sustainable digital success.

FAQs - frequently asked questions about Infrastructure as a Service

What makes STACKIT different from other cloud providers?

STACKIT stands for sovereign cloud infrastructure with data centers exclusively in Germany and Austria. The platform meets the highest data protection and security standards (GDPR, C5, ISO 27001) and offers personal support at eye level. It is based on open source and is aimed at companies that focus on data sovereignty, compliance and independence.

For which application scenarios is Infrastructure as a Service suitable?

The service can be used in a variety of ways - for digital platforms, e-commerce applications, AI projects, data management or specialist processes in the public sector, for example. The infrastructure can be scaled flexibly and meets industry-specific requirements - from start-ups to public authorities.

How secure is my data in the cloud?

Your data is stored in certified data centers within Germany and Austria - with strict access guidelines, encryption, firewalls and continuous monitoring. STACKIT meets all current security standards and thus ensures maximum data control.

Can existing applications be migrated easily?

Yes, thanks to open standards and individual consulting, we support you during migration - regardless of whether you want to migrate classic applications, virtual machines or container-based architectures to the cloud.

Which additional services are useful?

We offer numerous expandable cloud services - including managed databases, messaging applications, data management tools and AI services. All components can be seamlessly integrated into your IaaS environment.

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Would you like to find out more about STACKIT cloud solutions? Do you have questions about cloud services, would you like an individual price estimate or would you like to find out more about our company? Use our contact form to get in touch with our experts directly. We will be happy to help you!

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