Canton of Bern Finds Local M365 Backup Solution via Bedag

SourceArticle

Author: Michael Stähli (inside-it.ch)
Source: Bern findet M365-Backup-Lösung in der Schweiz
Publication Date: November 10, 2025
Summary Reading Time: 3 minutes

Executive Summary

The Canton of Bern has developed an alternative for local storage of Microsoft 365 data in Switzerland through its IT service provider Bedag, after renewing M365 licenses for 27 million francs for three years in October. This solution reflects the growing tension between digital sovereignty and dependency on US technology corporations. For administrative leadership and IT decision-makers, the case exemplarily shows how local data sovereignty can be practically implemented despite global cloud dependencies.

Critical Key Questions

  • Real sovereignty or alibi solution? Can a local backup strategy actually reduce the fundamental dependency on Microsoft infrastructures or does it merely create deceptive security?

  • Cost transparency vs. data protection: Do the additional costs of a Swiss backup solution justify the effort when simultaneously 27 million francs flow to Microsoft Ireland without tender?

  • Innovation through necessity: What market opportunities arise for local IT providers when public contractors seek alternatives to US hyperscalers for compliance reasons?

Scenario Analysis: Future Perspectives

Short-term (1 year):
Other cantons and federal authorities will evaluate Bern's solution. Bedag could be positioned as a specialized provider for Swiss M365 backup services.

Medium-term (5 years):
Regulatory pressure for complete data localization could strengthen local cloud providers and make hybrid sovereignty solutions the standard in public administration.

Long-term (10–20 years):
European "Digital Sovereignty" initiatives could promote alternative productivity suites and reduce the dominance of American technology providers in critical infrastructures.

Main Summary

Core Topic & Context

The Canton of Bern navigates between practical IT necessity and political pressure for digital sovereignty. While the administration remains dependent on Microsoft 365, the cantonal IT service provider Bedag develops local backup solutions for critical data.

Most Important Facts & Figures

  • 27 million francs for three-year M365 license renewal to Microsoft Ireland
  • Direct award without public tender by the Office for Information Technology and Organization (Kaio)
  • July 2025: Canton announced search for Microsoft alternatives
  • Bedag as key partner identified for local data storage
  • [⚠️ To be verified]: Technical details and costs of the backup solution

Stakeholders & Affected Parties

  • Canton of Bern: Balancing act between functionality and sovereignty
  • Bedag: Opportunities as specialized local cloud provider
  • Microsoft: Continues to be dominant productivity suite provider despite sovereignty debate
  • Other cantons: Potential customers for similar solutions

Opportunities & Risks

Opportunities: Local IT providers can develop specialized compliance solutions; Swiss data protection expertise becomes exportable.

Risks: Dual infrastructures increase costs; no real reduction of Microsoft dependency; political activism without substantial improvement.

Action Relevance

IT decision-makers should evaluate hybrid sovereignty strategies that combine international productivity with local compliance requirements. Transparent cost analysis between global and local solutions will be crucial.

Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking

Verification Status: ✅ Basic data verified on November 10, 2025
[⚠️ To be verified]: Technical specifications of the Bedag solution and total costs of the hybrid approach

Additional Research

Further relevant developments in the context of digital sovereignty:

  1. Zurich: City council demands strategy against US technology dependency
  2. Germany: Bitkom study shows massive deficits in AI computing power compared to USA/China
  3. Federal level: Ongoing evaluation of European cloud alternatives

Bibliography

Primary Source:
Bern findet M365-Backup-Lösung in der Schweiz – Inside IT

Additional Sources:

  1. Zurich City Council on digital sovereignty – Inside IT
  2. Germany lags behind in AI computing power – Inside IT
  3. Bitkom Digital Association studies on cloud sovereignty
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