Digital Sovereignty: Key to Europe's success

At a time when digitalization is rapidly transforming the world, the concept of digital sovereignty is of paramount importance. Information technology has shaken our societies to the core and permeates almost every aspect of our lives. This is a crucial key to shaping Europe's future.

Digital sovereignty means the autonomous management and control of digital affairs without dependence on external influences. Despite its importance, digital sovereignty remains poorly implemented in many areas. Europe remains heavily dependent on technology companies outside its borders, whether for everyday devices or critical infrastructure vital to our communities. In particular, European nations rely on foreign technology providers for platform and technical infrastructure security, affecting both everyday devices and critical infrastructure.

The dangers of a lack of digital sovereignty

A lack of digital sovereignty can have serious consequences, especially for the security of critical infrastructure such as hospitals, energy supplies, and transportation systems. Security breaches can range from the loss of data to the physical endangerment of individuals. Recent events have highlighted the far-reaching consequences of foreign dependency, for example in the case of gas supplies. Digital sovereignty is as essential as sovereign energy supply.

Main Cause: The convenience trap

The convenience trap is one of the most subtle but dangerous threats to Europe's digital sovereignty. It reflects how users and businesses often prioritize convenience and ease of use over security and independence. The easily accessible services and technologies of large foreign technology companies are often more cost-effective and convenient in practice. This has plunged Europe deeper into a dependency spiral that is becoming increasingly difficult to escape.

In today's world, we are used to the comfort and familiarity of established technologies. The devices, apps and platforms of major tech companies are widely available and seamlessly integrated into our daily lives. This comfort leads us to overlook the security risks and dependencies associated with using these services.

Users tend to casually hand over their personal data to these companies without adequately considering the long-term impact on their privacy and security. At the same time, companies are using cloud services and platforms from large foreign providers to reduce costs and streamline digital processes. While this may seem cost-effective in the short term, it poses long-term risks in terms of dependency on foreign technology providers.

The convenience trap not only poses privacy and security risks, but also weakens digital sovereignty. It complicates efforts to develop and promote European alternatives, given the entrenched market position of foreign technologies.

Escaping this convenience trap requires a fundamental change on several levels. Users must become aware of their digital responsibilities and be willing to advocate for greater security and sovereignty in their online activities. Businesses must balance long-term benefits and risks rather than be swayed by short-term cost savings. Policymakers and regulators must create incentives that encourage the development and deployment of European technologies, thereby strengthening digital sovereignty.

Part of the solution: Strengthening Evaluation Competence

Strengthening digital sovereignty requires a coordinated effort among various stakeholders, including policymakers, government, industry, and IT service providers. But this alone is not enough. Both businesses and users have a critical responsibility to ensure digital sovereignty. This requires a profound change in the way we think and act:

1. Raise awareness: The Foundation of Digital Sovereignty
   It is critical to raise awareness of the importance of digital sovereignty. Both businesses and individuals need to understand that their digital security and independence are at stake. In a world where convenience often takes precedence over security, a new understanding needs to be fostered. This awareness can be promoted through targeted educational initiatives and information campaigns, such as our involvement in initiatives like The School Network.
2. Encouraging small and medium enterprises (SMEs): Leveraging sovereign technologies
   SMEs are often the driving force of the European economy. To strengthen digital sovereignty, SMEs should have access to funding schemes that enable them to use and develop sovereign digital technologies. This can stimulate the development and implementation of secure European solutions.
3. Evaluation skills as a key competence
   The increasing complexity of IT systems requires a fundamental improvement in the evaluation skills of businesses and policy makers. This means that they must be able to assess the security and reliability of digital products and services. However, this requires technical expertise and the ability to critically evaluate. Businesses should be empowered to independently assess the security of their digital infrastructure and the trustworthiness of their technology providers.
4. Protect against biased advice
   It is critical to ensure that technical advice is independent and objective. In many cases, external consulting services are used to fill skill gaps. It is important not only to focus on competence, but also to consider the motivations and interests behind consulting firms in order to avoid dependencies. Ensuring neutral and competent advice is essential.

Conclusion: Joint efforts for Europe's digital sovereignty

Overall, digital sovereignty is crucial for Europe's future. It requires concerted efforts from policymakers, businesses and society to strengthen digital sovereignty and ensure security in the digital world. Acting with awareness, supporting SMEs, improving evaluation skills and ensuring independent advice are key components in securing Europe's digital future. Only by working together can we successfully meet the challenges of the digital age and build a free digital future from Europe, for Europe!