The Data Haven project was realized by SecuMailer with support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), within the Kansen voor West III program. With this European co-financing, SecuMailer has developed an innovative and future-proof solution for secure email communication, aimed at governments, healthcare institutions, and organizations handling privacy-sensitive information.

Background and Objective

The project was initiated in response to the growing dependence on non-European cloud providers for the temporary storage of emails, particularly in situations requiring two-factor authentication (2FA). Due to recent geopolitical developments, stricter European regulations (such as GDPR, NIS2, and eIDAS 2), and the increasing need for digital sovereignty, there was a clear demand for an alternative that operates fully under European control.

The objective of Data Haven was to develop a hybrid solution for secure email communication, enabling organizations to retain control over their data without compromising on security, usability, or compliance.

Project Results

Within the Data Haven project, a hybrid email solution has been developed that allows privacy-sensitive emails to be temporarily stored within the customer’s own environment (on-premise or private cloud), rather than with non-European hyperscalers.

The solution leverages:

• Strong encryption (AES-256)
• Advanced key management using a Key-Based Key Derivation Function (KBKDF), where customers retain control over their cryptographic keys
• An authentication platform compatible with existing and future European digital identities, such as DigiD, UZI card, Lawyers’ ID, itsme®, and eIDAS 2 / EUDI Wallets

With this, Data Haven complies with both current and upcoming European standards for information security and privacy.

Dutch Private Cloud as the Next Step

As a logical next step following the project results, SecuMailer has initiated the full deployment of the Data Haven platform within a Dutch Private Cloud. This step is driven by explicit customer demand to operate entirely independently of non-European cloud providers and to ensure that critical communication infrastructure remains within Dutch and European jurisdiction.

Through this development, the entire platform—including processing, temporary storage, and authentication—can be fully operated within the Netherlands, further strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy.

European Added Value

With Data Haven, SecuMailer contributes to:

• Sustainable IT, with approximately 30% lower energy consumption per processed email
• Increased cybersecurity levels in critical sectors
• Strengthening European digital sovereignty

Co-funded by the European Union
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)