Germany's spy agencies plan €500m Google cloud to share classified data

Germany's three federal intelligence services plan to build a shared cloud system capable of handling documents classified up to 'Secret' — and intend to base it on a product from US technology company Google, according to investigations by NDR and WDR.

The Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV), the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) and the Bundeswehr's Militärischer Abschirmdienst (MAD) would all use the so-called ND-Cloud. In a later phase, the domestic intelligence offices of Germany's federal states are also expected to be connected.

The system is to be built on Google Distributed Cloud in an air-gapped configuration, meaning it would run without a direct connection to the internet or to Google. Data would be stored in Germany, with Google holding no access.

Insiders put the estimated cost at least 500 million euros. The project had been scheduled to go live in the first quarter of 2027, but faces delays: several components are still undergoing certification by the Bundesamt für die Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI), and budget funds will be released only once those approvals are granted.

Cybersecurity expert Sven Herpig, head of Cybersecurity & Emerging Threats at the independent organisation Interface, said that certification would indicate the conditions for storing and processing such sensitive content were met — but warned that future software updates could alter the system's security profile.