Spotlight: Digital sovereignty

How important is independence in the digital space to us in Europe? 

Digital sovereignty has become a key issue on the political and economic agenda in Europe. A recent analysis by BDO, based on around 5,000 social media posts with a total of approximately 17,000 indi-vidual statements, shows that dependence on American cloud providers and the associated risks for data security and national control options are causing widespread concern in the European Union..

 

Key aspects of the current discussion:

  • Dependence on US cloud and software providers is seen as a significant risk for European com-panies.
  • The development of European alternatives is urgently needed.
  • Strategic investment and political support are required.
  • Open source solutions are seen as drivers of innovation.


Regional differences in the debate

The debate on digital sovereignty is particularly pronounced in countries such as the Netherlands, Por-tugal, Germany and France. However, the focus varies: some countries are concentrating on legislative procedures, while others are emphasising aspects of economic development or the relevance of artifi-cial intelligence. One common element remains: there is an urgent need for action.

The study also shows that not all of the most frequently expressed demands are taken into account in the recently adopted coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD. Although the reduction of dependencies and digital sovereignty are mentioned as goals, concrete exit strategies or ‘Buy Europe-an’ requirements are missing. Prominent demands such as investment strategies for administration and the expansion of data centres are not addressed in the paper ‘Responsibility for Germany’. On the oth-er hand, chip/semiconductor initiatives and digital policy cooperation agreements with global partners are mentioned.

 

Focus varies depending on professional group

The analysis also shows that different professional groups in Germany are looking at alternatives to existing systems, but with different priorities. While IT managers and ISMS managers mainly emphasise data sovereignty and open source technologies, management focuses on strategic alternatives that meet their specific business requirements.

 

Conclusion

Digital sovereignty is not just a buzzword, but a fundamental prerequisite for Europe's competitiveness in the digital age. To secure this in the long term, it is essential to involve all relevant stakeholders and focus on transparent planning. Important aspects include the order of implementation, suitable financing options and consideration of regulatory requirements. Mistakes could have long-term conse-quences that are difficult to reverse.


Read the full analysis here:

250526_BDO_Spotlight_DigitaleSouveränität

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