The topic of cloud sovereignty in Europe is receiving increasing attention, as a recent article by the Clingendael Institute, and rightly so. Dependence on foreign cloud suppliers(hyperscalers) not only harms our digital independence, but also exposes us to legal and geopolitical problems. Think of NIS2, DORA, GDPR and EUCS.
Dutch software innovation has a unique opportunity to contribute to European solutions while also playing an important role in protecting our data integrity. This requires courage, vision, and a new perspective on the opportunities available.
Data sovereignty
The essence of sovereignty lies in control: managing where data is stored, who has access to it and in what way it is protected from both technological and geopolitical threats. This is not an abstract concept. It touches on the essence of our trust in digital infrastructures and whether we adequately safeguard our privacy, our economy and our security. The technology that makes this possible is already present in the Netherlands. We have the expertise and talent to tackle this right now, not only meeting European standards, but exceeding them.
Dutch innovation
Dutch innovation on cloud sovereignty has already emerged in the areas of advanced encryption, self-healing data networks and hybrid cryptographic technologies, which support organizations in protecting data regardless of the potential threats of the future. These technologies allow us to store data locally, within our own borders, while complying with the strictest international security standards. As a result, companies can not only comply with legislation such as the GDPR and the NIS2 directive, but also increase their trust with customers by demonstrating that they choose security and independence.
Change in mindset
However, the challenge is not only in the technology itself. It also requires a change in mindset. For too long we have allowed ourselves to be influenced by the apparent simplicity of foreign solutions. It is now time to show that we in the Netherlands not only have the ambition, but also the skills to tackle this in a different way. By investing in national innovations, we can not only improve our digital independence, but also set an example for other European countries.
A call to action
The call for cloud sovereignty is a call to action. It requires a leap of faith in our own abilities, cooperation between government, industry and knowledge institutions, and a clear focus on technologies that make us independent. The Netherlands already has the building blocks, like Chunk Works; it is up to us to use them and build the future in which security, innovation and continuity are central. The time for half-steps is over. This is the time to show what we can do as Dutch innovation to protect our sovereignty.
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