Driver FixRecommendedSound, Wi-Fi or graphics acting up? Check drivers firstFind missing or outdated drivers fast.Check DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan Now×
Skip to content
World desk7 min

Atlassian Cloud vs Data Center: Security, Control, and Compliance Compared

Atlassian Cloud delegates more platform operation to Atlassian; Data Center gives customers more direct control and more security work. Compare the tradeoffs and checks that matter.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Atlassian Cloud is the better fit when you want Atlassian to operate the hosting platform; Data Center is the better fit when your organization needs—and can staff—the direct operation of its own deployment. Neither choice is automatically more secure or compliant. The right comparison is between the controls your requirements demand and the controls your team can implement, maintain, and prove.

What changes between Cloud and Data Center?

The main difference is who operates and secures the hosting environment. In Cloud, Atlassian runs the hosted platform and the infrastructure it documents; your organization remains responsible for its users, information, app choices, and compliant use. With Data Center, your organization operates the deployment and its hosting infrastructure, while Atlassian supplies the software and application-level security fixes.

Decision area Atlassian Cloud Atlassian Data Center What to establish
Hosting and infrastructure Atlassian operates the hosted platform and underlying environment described in its security materials. Your organization operates the deployment and self-managed hardware or chosen hosting infrastructure. Assign owners for infrastructure, system patching, monitoring, backups, disaster recovery, and incident response.
Security operations Atlassian operates documented service and platform controls; your organization manages customer-side access, content, apps, and policy. Your administrators must secure and operate the environment as well as configure the product securely. Can your team consistently implement the required controls and retain evidence that they are working?
Encryption and isolation Atlassian describes encryption for listed Cloud services and logical separation in its multi-tenant architecture. Your organization chooses, configures, and operates encryption and access controls for its environment. Include attachments, integrations, backups, and logs in the data-flow and key-management review.
Infrastructure control You have less direct control over the underlying hosting environment; product and administrative controls are delivered through the service. You have more direct operational control over deployment and infrastructure choices, along with responsibility for securing them. Identify whether the requirement concerns network boundaries, data handling, architecture, or something that a Cloud setting or contract could address.
Data location Residency is available for specified products and regions, subject to product-specific data scope. Your organization chooses where to deploy and host, subject to its infrastructure and legal constraints. Determine whether the rule requires residency, limits on processing, or restrictions on support access and subprocessors.
Compliance evidence Atlassian maintains Cloud compliance materials, but program scope differs by product. Running Atlassian software does not certify your environment or operational practices. Match product, plan, deployment, region, data use, and audit period to the actual obligation.

This is a responsibility comparison, not a measured security-outcome ranking. The reviewed Atlassian materials do not establish that either deployment has a lower breach rate.

What security controls does Atlassian document for Cloud?

Shared infrastructure with logical tenant separation

Atlassian says it uses AWS as a Cloud service provider and operates a multi-tenant architecture: a service can serve multiple customers on shared infrastructure. Atlassian describes logical tenant separation, including tenant-context mechanisms for Jira and Confluence; this is not the same as physically dedicated infrastructure for each customer. See Atlassian’s Security Practices and its Cloud architecture and operational practices.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
FortiGate-40F Firewall Appliance - 5 Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 Ports, Ideal for Small Businesses (Appliance Only, No Subscription) (FG-40F)
  • Compact and Efficient Design: The FortiGate 40F is designed for small to mid-sized businesses and enterprise branch offices, featuring a compact, fanless desktop form factor that ensures quiet operation and minimizes space usage.
  • Robust Connectivity Options: Equipped with 5 GE RJ45 ports, including 1 WAN port and 4 internal ports, this model provides essential connectivity and flexibility for various network configurations in a small-scale environment.
  • High-Performance Security: Offers up to 1 Gbps IPS throughput and 600 Mbps threat protection throughput, using Fortinet’s purpose-built security processor technology to deliver industry-leading performance and protection for SSL encrypted traffic.
  • Advanced Threat Protection: Integrated with Fortinet’s AI-powered FortiGuard Labs, the FortiGate 40F offers comprehensive cybersecurity, identifying and mitigating both known and unknown threats to maintain robust security across your network.
  • Simplified Management and Deployment: Features a user-friendly management console that provides comprehensive network automation and visibility, coupled with Zero Touch Integration with Fortinet’s Security Fabric for easy deployment.

Encryption described in Atlassian’s materials

Atlassian says customer data transmitted over public networks is protected with TLS 1.2 or higher and Perfect Forward Secrecy. Its documentation also describes AES-256 full-disk encryption at rest for drives holding data and attachments for listed Cloud products, with key management referencing the underlying cloud provider’s KMS. These are vendor-published controls; product and data scope matter, and they do not establish the configuration of a particular customer’s identity, apps, integrations, or use.

Atlassian’s Technical and Organisational Security Measures, effective October 7, 2025, also describe least-privilege access, role-based controls, logging and monitoring, and annual external and internal audits. Treat these as Atlassian’s stated organizational measures, not as proof that a customer meets a particular regulation.

What does Data Center put on your team?

Data Center gives the customer more direct say over where and how the deployment runs, but that control comes with ongoing operating duties. Atlassian’s Data Center security checklist and shared responsibilities says Atlassian does not take responsibility for self-managed hardware infrastructure. Atlassian supplies secure product releases, application-level security fixes, built-in features, and configuration guidance; administrators must apply fixes promptly and operate the deployment securely.

  • Place systems on appropriately protected private networks and configure network boundaries, including WAFs or VPNs where required by your design.
  • Apply released security fixes promptly and keep the operating system, hosting platform, and Atlassian applications within your maintenance process.
  • Configure identity and access controls, including SSO and MFA where required by policy.
  • Implement encryption appropriate to the data and architecture, and manage access to keys and sensitive stores.
  • Run and test regular backups, and define recovery responsibilities and targets.
  • Conduct security audits and retain evidence for the controls your organization is responsible for.

The precise design depends on your hosting arrangement and product configuration. A self-managed deployment is not secure merely because it is inside your network: the controls must be implemented, maintained, and checked.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Wintertion1U/Desktop/Rackmount Firewall Hardware,OPNsense, VPN, Network Security Appliance, Router PCN2600 D2700, 4 x Gigabit LAN, COM, VGA, Fan, 0 RAM, 0 Storage (Desktop Type, 4G RAM 64G SSD)
  • equipped with atom n2600 d2700 processor, compatible with many freebsd based router systems, linux distros, or win.os supported, easy configuration and management
  • Please note, this is a barebone only. A system memory, a storage drive and an operating system are needed to complete this system
  • 13-19 inches 1u, 50w power, with power cord, make sure to use a big brand memory and ssd/hdd with quality assurance
  • Designed with console, 2 x usb, 4 x lan, vga, power switch, size at 290 x 180 x 44mm
  • There are 2 inside reserved fans on chassis, which could be removed freely or be turned on in a high temperature environment to ensure the best function of the product

Can Jira or Confluence data stay in a chosen region?

Atlassian’s Cloud architecture page currently lists residency for Jira, Jira Service Management, Jira Product Discovery, and Confluence in 11 regions: US, EU, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Switzerland. This availability is for those products, and the data covered depends on each product’s documented in-scope data. Check the live Cloud architecture and operational practices page and the applicable product documentation when evaluating a specific deployment; region availability and scope can change.

Residency is not a blanket promise that every related operation happens exclusively in that location. Before treating a region selection as satisfying a rule, identify whether the rule also limits processing, backups, support access, subprocessors, or data transfers. Data Center lets the customer select where to host, but the organization must still account for its chosen infrastructure and applicable legal constraints.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Does Atlassian Cloud meet your compliance requirements?

There is no useful yes-or-no answer without naming the standard and exact service in scope. Atlassian says compliance scope varies by product and program, and may change with rollouts or acquisitions. A certification or attestation for one service does not automatically cover every Atlassian product, plan, feature, region, or customer configuration.

  1. Identify the applicable regulation, contractual obligation, and required control evidence.
  2. Pin down the Atlassian product, plan, features, data categories, region, and third-party apps that will be used.
  3. Retrieve the current attestation or report for that exact service and review its scope and audit period through Atlassian’s Compliance FAQ and current Trust resources.
  4. Map the vendor’s controls to your own responsibilities, including identity, permissions, app governance, data handling, and any required customer evidence.

Atlassian’s Compliance FAQ states that its SOC 2 Type 2 reports cover a 12-month reporting period running from October 1 through September 30. That describes the stated reporting period; it does not mean every report applies to every product or satisfies a buyer’s obligations. Data Center requires the same careful mapping: control over infrastructure does not itself establish compliance.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
FortiGate-60F Network Security Appliance Plus 1 Year FortiGuard Unified Threat Protection (UTP) and FortiCare Premium (FG-60F-BDL-950-12)
  • HARDWARE PLUS SECURITY SERVICES: FortiGate-60F Firewall Appliance bundled with 1 year of FortiCare Premium and FortiGuard Unified Threat Protection.
  • UNIFIED THREAT PROTECTION (UTP): Secures against advanced online threats with comprehensive web filtering and anti-botnet technologies.
  • OPTIMIZED FOR MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES: Tailored for businesses needing robust security without the infrastructure of larger enterprises.
  • RELIABLE CUSTOMER SUPPORT: FortiCare Premium ensures high-quality support and service continuity.
  • EFFECTIVE PROTECTION: Employs advanced filtering technologies to safeguard against sophisticated threats.

What control do you retain in Cloud?

Moving to Cloud reduces direct control over the underlying hosting infrastructure, but it does not hand over all security decisions. Your organization still governs who can access the service, what information users place in it, which Marketplace apps and integrations are trusted, and whether use complies with organizational policy.

Atlassian points to Atlassian Guard for organization-wide identity capabilities, including connecting an identity provider, enforcing SSO and MFA, and managing external-user security. Feature availability and packaging can depend on the plan, so verify current requirements through Atlassian’s comprehensive data protection information. For either deployment, assess Marketplace apps as a separate security boundary: an app may access or process data under its own practices, and Atlassian’s platform controls do not automatically validate those practices.

How to choose between the deployment models

Cloud is a stronger fit when

  • You want Atlassian to operate the hosted platform and do not need direct administration of the underlying infrastructure.
  • Your organization can meet location, identity, app, and compliance requirements using the specific Cloud products and controls available to it.
  • You prefer to focus internal effort on customer-side governance rather than operating the hosting stack.

Data Center is a stronger fit when

  • You have a defined need for direct control of hosting or network architecture that cannot be met by the Cloud service and its available controls.
  • Your organization can staff infrastructure operations, patching, access management, encryption, backup, monitoring, and audit work on an ongoing basis.
  • You can provide evidence for both the Atlassian application configuration and the infrastructure and processes you operate.

Before committing, write down the exact control requirement rather than treating “more control” as a single objective. Infrastructure location, identity policy, data residency, application configuration, and audit evidence are distinct concerns and may point to different answers.

Procurement and migration checks

  • List every Atlassian product, plan, feature, integration, and Marketplace app in scope.
  • Classify the data and document applicable jurisdictional, contractual, and regulatory restrictions.
  • Confirm whether the requirement is residency or also covers processing, backups, support access, or subprocessors.
  • Assign an owner for each control: Atlassian-operated, customer-operated, or app-provider-operated.
  • Review current compliance reports for the exact service and period, and record any gaps against your obligations.
  • For Cloud, verify identity feature availability and app data access. For Data Center, confirm staffing and processes for infrastructure security, patching, backups, and audits.

Atlassian’s security and compliance migration guidance likewise directs customers to evaluate shared responsibility, app security and privacy, residency, and current compliance attestations before migrating.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Shenzhen desk3 min
    HONOR Expands Beyond Smartphones With Humanoid Robot RevealHONOR said it unveiled its first humanoid robot at MWC 2026 and named shopping assistance, workplace inspections, and supportive companionship as intended uses. Later Robotics D1 claims and a reported…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.