DATA RESIDENCY–AWARE MULTI-CLOUD STRATEGY: DESIGNING HYBRID AND MULTI-CLOUD ARCHITECTURES UNDER LOCALIZATION AND REGULATORY CONSTRAINTS

The rapid adoption of cloud computing has enabled organizations to achieve scalability, agility, and cost efficiency. However, increasing regulatory scrutiny around data sovereignty and localization presents significant challenges to traditional cloud deployment models. Many jurisdictions now mandate that sensitive data remain within national or regional boundaries, complicating the design of hybrid and multi-cloud architectures that span multiple geographies and service providers. This paper proposes a data residency–aware multi-cloud strategy that integrates regulatory compliance into cloud architecture design. The study examines regulatory drivers, architectural patterns, governance mechanisms, and technical enablers required to balance innovation with compliance. A conceptual framework is presented to guide organizations in designing hybrid and multi-cloud environments that satisfy localization mandates while maintaining operational flexibility, resilience, and performance. The findings offer practical insights for policymakers, cloud architects, and enterprises operating in regulated environments.