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Zug, October 30, 2024 – eArchive4Future is a new solution for archiving large amounts of data. It is being developed as part of a working group with the participation of representatives from leading technology companies such as Fujitsu, Intel, SUSE and VNC as well as the Bechtle IT system houses in Munich and Bonn. Public institutions such as the German Federal Employment Agency and the German Federal Archives are involved as reference implementations for the legally compliant long-term storage of large amounts of data.

The eArchive4Future archiving solution is the result of the collaboration between the four technology partners and the system houses. It is being developed in close cooperation with German authorities such as the Federal Employment Agency, the Federal Archives and the Federal Network Agency. The joint technology, management and security expertise results in a state-of-the-art, scalable and secure archiving solution that combines regulatory compliance with AI-powered capabilities for the provision, analysis and use of data. The system ensures the long-term availability and integrity of documents and complies with the highest German and EU security standards (including BSI-TR-ESOR, eIDAS and RFC4998).

Competence times five

The new archiving solution is highly scalable and will cover all three layers of data sovereignty and security: At the infrastructure level (IaaS), Intel hardware is used. Intel® Software Guard Extensions (SGX) and Trust Domain Extensions (TDX) technologies isolate and securely process data in cloud environments. Open source pioneer and platform specialist SUSE provides the operating system and Kubernetes layer for agile container technology and microservices management at the platform level (PaaS). At the software-as-a-service level (SaaS), VNCdirectory handles authorization and metadata management as well as integration with partner solutions for SecDocs and AI Analytics. These include Planet AI (majority owned by Bechtle) for intelligent document analysis (IDA), Fujitsu SecDocs for long-term storage of digital documents for the preservation of evidence, and Fujitsu PrivateGPT for implementing AI functionality in the company’s own data center. The open source-based Intel® OpenVINO™ Toolkit is used for local use of Large Language Models (LLMs).

VNClagoon as an integrating software stack

All these functionalities are integrated into the VNClagoon software suite and can be controlled intuitively at the front end. The result is a functionally complex yet easy-to-use archiving solution. Automated processes and AI-based functions for metadata creation and document categorization enable fast, accurate and secure access to all content. The use of AI makes it possible not only to archive huge amounts of data, but also to use it productively.

“All five partners in the eArchive4Future project represent the highest level of technological expertise and a commitment to security in handling all data and confidential computing,” explains Andrea Wörrlein, Managing Director of VNC in Berlin and member of the Board of VNC AG in Zug. “This cooperation will result in a future-oriented solution that enables both secure long-term archiving and new usage options for archived data.”

“In view of the further implementation of the Online Access Act, I am pleased that with eArchive4Future we can offer federal authorities, states, municipalities and industry a holistic solution approach for a plug-and-play, evidence-preserving long-time archive,” emphasizes Bettina Philipp, Strategic Account Director Federal Employment Agency/Federal Archives at Fujitsu.

“With eArchive4Future, the complex and highly regulated archiving system is simplified and the use of AI enables significant efficiency gains,” says Marco Schilli, Head of Public Sector at Bechtle IT Systemhaus Munich.

“By using confidential computing technologies such as Intel’s Software Guard Extensions and Trust Domain Extensions on Intel® Xeon™ processors, we support the secure processing of sensitive data in public administration. In this way, we help to reconcile IT security requirements with flexible digitalization,” explains Dr. Markus Leberecht, Principal Engineer at Intel Germany’s EMEA Chief Technology Office.

“When it comes to securely archiving large amounts of data, a secure, digitally sovereign and open solution is crucial for companies and public authorities to avoid becoming dependent,” says Jens-Gero Boehm, Area Vice President Channel Sales DACH at SUSE. “As a provider of secure and open business solutions, we are very proud that, together with our technology partners Bechtle, Fujitsu, Intel and VNC, we can make an important contribution to legal certainty and digital sovereignty with this archiving solution that meets the highest German and EU security guidelines.”

The partners involved will be present at a number of events:

• Fujitsu AI Day on November 5, 2024 in Nuremberg, Germany
• Berlin Security Conference on November 19-20, 2024 in Berlin, Germany

About VNC – Virtual Network Consult AG

VNC is a global software company that develops open source-based applications for communication and collaboration in large companies. With its global developer community, VNC has created the integrated product suite VNClagoon, which is characterized by state-of-the-art technology, universal usability, low TCO and the strictest protection and security measures, thus helping to preserve the right to digital sovereignty. VNC is thus positioning itself as an open and secure alternative to the established US software giants. VNC’s customers, with headquarters in Switzerland, Germany and India, include system integrators, financial and healthcare service providers, public administrations and authorities, telcos and non-profit organizations. Further information at https://vnclagoon.com, on X at @VNCbiz and on LinkedIn.

Contact

Andrea Wörrlein
VNC – Virtual Network Consult AG
Poststrasse 24
CH-6302 Zug
Tel.: +41 (41) 727 52 00
aw@vnc.biz

Kathleen Hahn
PR-COM GmbH
Sendlinger-Tor-Platz 6
D-80336 Munich
Tel. +49-89-59997-763
kathleen.hahn@pr-com.de