Our founder and owner, Bastian Noffer, recently attended the TechRiders Festival in Cologne, a platform dedicated to digital sovereignty in Europe. It became clear there that digital sovereignty is not just a political or technological issue, but a strategic necessity for companies of all sizes.
What does digital sovereignty mean for SMEs?
Digital sovereignty describes the ability to act independently in the digital space – regardless of individual providers or platforms. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this means retaining control over data, processes, and communication channels. It's about not being dependent on the decisions of large tech companies, but rather developing and implementing your own digital strategies.
Why is this important?
Many companies use services such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or Amazon Web Services. These tools offer convenience, but they also harbor risks:
- Dependency: Switching providers can be expensive and complicated.
- Data protection: Data may be stored outside the EU, which poses legal challenges.
- Innovation: Customization to specific business needs is often limited.
The German government recognizes these challenges and is therefore promoting open source solutions and European cloud initiatives such as Gaia-X to strengthen digital independence.
Building your own communities
A key aspect of digital sovereignty is direct communication with customers and partners. Instead of relying exclusively on social networks or third-party platforms, companies should establish their own channels:
- Own websites and blogs: Controlled content and direct customer contact.
- Newsletters: Independent communication without algorithm filters.
- Mobile apps: Direct access to customers, push notifications, and personalized offers.
For example, the “Digital Villages” project shows how community spirit can be strengthened and communication improved through the use of proprietary apps.
Mobile apps as the key to independence
Mobile applications offer SMEs the opportunity to strengthen customer loyalty while retaining control over their data and communication channels. They serve as a central point of contact for information, offers, and interactions—independent of external platforms.
Conclusion: Self-determination as a competitive advantage
Digital sovereignty is not a luxury, but a necessity. For SMEs, it means:
- Independence: Reduced dependence on large providers.
- Security: Better control over your own data.
- Flexibility: Faster adaptation to market changes.
It is time to actively shape the digital future and not just passively consume it.
Sources for this article:
1. TechRiders Summit 2025: https://intrapol.org/2025/03/25/save-the-date-im-juli-startet-der-techriders-summit-in-koeln
2. Digital sovereignty – challenges for Germany and Europe: https://digital-magazin.de/deutschlands-europas-digitale-souveraenitaet
3. Digital sovereignty – a strategic decision for companies: https://www.cloudcomputing-insider.de/digitale-souveraenitaet-keine-ideologische-frage-sondern-strategische-entscheidung-a-096d82bbf4921195b32a7692c0edc8a2
4. Strengthening digital independence – Shift Digital: https://www.shiftdigital.de/news/digitale-unabhangigkeit-sichern-deutschlands-souveranitat-starken
5. Digital sovereignty – Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland Affairs: https://bmds.bund.de/themen/digitale-souveraenitaet
6. Digital villages – Wikipedia: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digitale_Dörfer
7. Digital sovereignty – CIO Bund: https://www.cio.bund.de/Webs/CIO/DE/digitale-loesungen/digitale-souveraenitaet/digitale-souveraenitaet-node.html
8. WELT – Europe's digital independence: https://www.welt.de/232742737
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