NetApp (NASDAQ: NTAP) announced a 4-year Enterprise Agreement with Google Cloud to deploy NetApp storage solutions within Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped (GDC), according to a company statement. The agreement integrates NetApp's data platform into Google's sovereign cloud platform delivered by World Wide Technology.

The collaboration enables NetApp AFF, StorageGRID, and Trident solutions to operate within GDC's air-gapped private cloud environment. The platform targets government agencies and defense organizations requiring data sovereignty and security compliance for sensitive information.

"For government agencies and defense organizations, sensitive and classified data can't leave controlled environments, but that data is also critical to AI‑driven decision‑making," said Cesar Cernuda, President at NetApp.

Google Distributed Cloud extends cloud infrastructure to on-premises data centers and network edges. The integrated solution provides zero-trust security, local data storage, and encryption key management while maintaining operational control in disconnected environments.

Google Cloud has expanded AI capabilities for regulated use cases over the past year. Gemini's reasoning and generation capabilities are available on GDC for automation, content generation, and summarization in air-gapped settings.

"Google Distributed Cloud was designed for exactly these environments, enabling customers to bring modern cloud services and advanced AI capabilities into sovereign, air‑gapped, and disconnected settings," said Muninder Sambi, VP, Product Management & Supply Chain, Google Distributed Cloud.

The platform allows organizations to operate fully disconnected while accessing Google's AI capabilities, addressing strict security and compliance requirements in government and regulated enterprise environments.