Digital technologies are shaping our lives more than ever before. At the same time, geopolitical tensions are rising. And along with them the risk that digital infrastructures and data could be used as instruments of power and end up beyond one's own sphere of influence. Public institutions, businesses, and organizations are increasingly confronted with a pressing question: "How can we ensure that we maintain autonomy in the digital realm?"
This is where the concept of digital sovereignty comes into play. This article explores what it means, why it is especially crucial for Europe, and how providers like Stackfield demonstrate that digital sovereignty is already a reality today.
What is digital sovereignty?
Digital sovereignty means that states, organizations, and individuals have control over how they use digital technologies and over who has access to their data, IT systems, and digital infrastructure. The goal of digital sovereignty is to act independently and autonomously in the digital world, without relying on third-party providers or technologies.
It’s not just about owning or using digital systems. It’s about actively shaping, operating, and controlling them. Those who are sovereign understand and master the technologies they use and can create viable alternatives when external providers no longer meet their standards.
For the EU, digital sovereignty also means reducing dependence on non-European tech giants – especially cloud providers – upholding European values in the digital space, and developing homegrown solutions, infrastructures, and platforms. In short, digital sovereignty is key to transforming from passive users into active, empowered digital actors.
What are the core components of digital sovereignty?
Digital sovereignty goes far beyond just server location. It’s a holistic concept encompassing technical, legal, and organizational dimensions:
- Data Sovereignty: Who stores, processes, and controls sensitive data? Only those who always know where their data is and who has access to it can actively manage risks and implement serious data protection.
- Technological Independence: Are critical applications running on your own systems or on third-party infrastructure? Sovereignty also means using and fostering secure, independent alternatives to dominant platforms and external services. It may not always be the most convenient path, but it's the only one that ensures long-term strategic freedom.
- Legal Compliance: Systems should operate under the jurisdiction of the entity using them. For use within the EU, that means systems should fall solely under EU law. This is the only way to ensure full compliance with regulations like the GDPR, without running into legal conflicts with foreign jurisdictions.
- IT Security: Only through well-designed encryption, access controls, and audits can digital independence be meaningfully realized. Digital sovereignty also means detecting threats early and being able to respond autonomously in an emergency.
These elements are interconnected. A weakness in any one area can jeopardize control over digital processes, leading to serious implications for privacy, reliability, and resilience.
Why is digital sovereignty important?
Digital sovereignty protects core values and interests in both the public and private sectors. It safeguards trade secrets from foreign interference, such as through extraterritorial laws like the U.S. CLOUD Act. It ensures that fundamental rights – such as data protection and informational self-determination – are not undermined. And it strengthens competitiveness by empowering organizations to run systems on their own terms and make strategic decisions independently.
In a world where digital infrastructures have become systemically critical, digital sovereignty is no longer a "nice-to-have." It is a shield against geopolitical risks, economic dependencies, and technological subjugation.
What are examples of digital sovereignty?
Digital sovereignty becomes most evident where control over data and systems is not only demanded but actively realized. A clear example is European cloud initiatives such as Germany’s government cloud, which aim to create infrastructures that combine data protection, transparency, and interoperability.
Companies that deliberately rely on entirely German or European software solutions also serve as strong examples. By using EU-based software providers exclusively, they free themselves from dependency on global tech giants and prove that digital autonomy is not only possible – it is already happening.
Of course, protecting one’s own sovereignty is only one of the advantages in the examples mentioned, as the synergy effects go much further. By increasing investment in and accelerating the development of sovereign digital solutions, innovation can be boosted, resources used more efficiently, and technical foundations established on a broad and sustainable basis.
Who benefits from digital sovereignty?
Digital sovereignty enhances not only the state’s capacity to act independently, but also delivers tangible benefits at every level of society. The larger and more complex the structure, the higher the risk posed by digital dependencies and the greater the need for sovereign control over IT systems and data.
What does it mean for governments?
Governments need digital sovereignty to safeguard their democratic, economic, and national security interests. Only when critical infrastructure, administrative processes, and public data are free from reliance on foreign powers can fundamental rights be protected, national interests upheld and public trust secured.
What does it mean for public administrations?
Public institutions benefit from sovereign digital solutions by ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information. Digital independence also fosters trust in public administration and reduces exposure to unauthorized external access.
What does it mean for businesses?
For businesses, digital sovereignty offers both security and a competitive edge. It ensures compliance with data protection regulations, protects intellectual property, and enables strategic decision-making autonomy. Companies that work with local vendors and subcontractors remain agile, minimize compliance risks, and increase their overall resilience.
What does it mean for IT teams and departments?
IT professionals also see direct benefits. Digital sovereignty supports secure infrastructure design, reduces reliance on external providers, and offers greater freedom in choosing tools and implementing data protection policies.
What does it mean for citizens?
For individuals, digital sovereignty means more control over personal data and better protection against surveillance, profiling, or unwanted data sharing. It also ensures that digital services are designed transparently, responsibly, and in line with democratic values.
Practical examples of digital sovereignty in action
The benefits of digital sovereignty are clear, yet many organizations hesitate to take action. Transitioning to new systems is not just a technical decision, it also affects economic structures, established processes, and even emotional comfort zones. Often, fear of change outweighs the risks of staying in the status quo. Arguments like "too expensive," "too complex," or "there are no alternatives" persist. But they rarely hold up under closer scrutiny – and there is plenty of evidence that things can be done differently. Here are just a few examples:
Stackfield:
Developed in Germany and hosted exclusively within Europe, Stackfield is a collaboration platform intentionally avoids third-country providers and relies solely on EU-based service partners. Combined with genuine end-to-end encryption and a GDPR-compliant security architecture, Stackfield delivers a high level of protection without sacrificing usability or functionality.
IONOS:
As a cloud and infrastructure provider, IONOS operates its own data centers in Germany and serves both businesses and the public sector with sovereign cloud offerings. Compliance with European data protection standards is a central pillar of its approach.
Myra Security:
Based in Munich, Myra promises to protect digital business processes with security solutions such as DDoS protection, web application firewalls, and secure content delivery services. All services are run through certified data centers in Germany and meet the requirements of KRITIS, the GDPR, and ISO 27001.
Denmark:
Pioneering efforts can be found not only in the private sector but also at the government level. In recent years, Denmark has consistently advocated for greater digital sovereignty. One notable example is the country’s move to gradually phase out Microsoft products from critical areas of public administration. Instead, Denmark is turning to open-source solutions, national infrastructure, and European alternatives to ensure long-term control over its data, systems, and interfaces.
The examples show: alternatives exist. They are becoming more visible, more robust, and more viable. More and more organizations are realizing that the effort to achieve digital sovereignty is an investment in independence, resilience, and trust—and one that pays off in the long run.
Conclusion: Digital autonomy requires more than good intentions
Digital sovereignty is not just a buzzword but rather a clear mandate for companies, public authorities, and institutions. It builds trust, secures independence, and strengthens resilience against external pressures, especially in times of crisis.
Stackfield shows it can be done: compliant, independent and secure. Organizations that want to maintain full control over their systems, data, and communication processes need exactly this kind of solution.