Schwarz Digits on Digital Sovereignty in Europe

Claudia Alsdorf, Managing Director of Business Development at Schwarz Digits, discussed the current state of digital sovereignty in Europe in an interview with t3n. She emphasizes that 70 percent of European cloud infrastructure is in the hands of three US corporations. This dominance poses a significant challenge for European companies that wish to maintain their digital independence. Alsdorf criticizes the often hesitant attitude of IT departments in companies, which typically do not want to make changes to existing systems. This reluctance hinders the development and implementation of new, innovative solutions that are necessary for digital sovereignty.

She calls for a proactive approach to reduce dependence on US providers. Schwarz Digits is pursuing a strategy based on developing its own solutions to strengthen the European market. The company focuses on partnerships with other European firms to build an alternative cloud infrastructure. This initiative aims to help regain control over data and systems and promote digital sovereignty. The managing director highlights that collaboration with the US is not excluded, but must be conditional on compliance with European standards and data protection regulations.

This requires a clear positioning and negotiating power on the part of European companies. Creating a fair competitive environment is crucial for the success of this strategy. Another aspect that Alsdorf addresses is the need to promote digital education in Europe. She sees this as a key to strengthening the competitiveness of European companies. A well-trained workforce is essential for developing and applying innovative technologies.

Alsdorf emphasizes that digital sovereignty is not only a technical challenge but also a societal one. Citizens must be educated about the importance of data protection and data security to raise awareness of the issue. Only in this way can broad support for the necessary changes in digital infrastructure be achieved. The discussion around digital sovereignty is further fueled by current geopolitical developments. Dependence on foreign providers is increasingly perceived as a risk, especially concerning national security interests.

European companies are called upon to find solutions that are both economically viable and secure. Schwarz Digits plans to invest more heavily in research and development in the coming years to offer innovative products and services. These investments aim to modernize the digital infrastructure in Europe and reduce dependence on US providers. The first results of this strategy are expected by 2027. "The IT department usually does not want to change anything," Alsdorf says about the challenges within companies.