The debate around digital sovereignty has regained focus – yet it is often distorted by ideologies. Sovereignty is frequently mistaken for autarky, leading to impractical initiatives. For example, the demand for complete technological self-sufficiency often leads to unrealistic goals, hampering innovation and global collaboration. It is doubtful whether EuroStack will fundamentally change this. Is it just another attempt by Europe to build castles in the sky?
Companies must develop realistic, risk- and cost-based strategies, demand CIOmover Stefan Brock (HPE) and Michael von Roeder (Elia Group). Dependencies in IT are not new, but geopolitical shifts are exacerbating the situation. Today, a public cloud strategy must consider not only switching costs but also the potential restriction or blockage of access to central cloud resources. The increasing importance of artificial intelligence for competitiveness also gives a new dimension to supplier dependency, especially in highly regulated industries. Are we sleepwalking into a digital dictatorship controlled by a few tech giants?
The results of this risk and cost analysis will vary. The challenge lies in mapping this diversity through hybrid architectures while controlling complexity and costs, and ensuring consistent data access. Companies need a nuanced approach, balancing the benefits of centralized cloud solutions with the need for control and flexibility, by assessing optimal data and application placement (public cloud, on-premises, or hybrid). Notably, even with on-premises solutions, companies are increasingly driven to adopt cloud-native technologies. American hyperscalers’ on-premises solutions increase dependency, while European solutions may be more complex to implement.
Digital independence often comes at the cost of increased complexity and integration challenges. Moreover, the pursuit of digital sovereignty by prioritizing European solutions often entails significant costs. Additionally, a shortage of specialized expertise in cutting-edge technologies within Europe could hinder effective implementation and innovation. Is Europe willing to pay this price for its digital freedom, or will it ultimately surrender to technological colonization?
In this context, Stefan Brock of Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Michael von Roeder of the Elia Group will provide valuable insights at their joint Deep Dive at CIOmove in Ireland (see Agenda).
