Cybersecurity Center and Expert Discuss SME Digital Sovereignty

Germany's Center for Cybersecurity for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and its project lead Marc Dönges have emphasized the increasing significance of digital sovereignty for the competitiveness and daily operations of businesses.

"Digital sovereignty is a central competitive factor for European companies," stated Dönges in an interview conducted by Enginsight. He explained that while the concept might seem distant, it is practically present in the daily lives of many businesses. Problems often arise in the context of cyberattacks, leading to production stoppages, data loss, or interruptions in critical processes.

The Cybersecurity Center, supported by the German Association for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (BVMW), offers free advisory services to SMEs, craft businesses, and startups. Its objective is to assist companies in preventing, detecting, and managing cyber threats. Dönges stressed that digital sovereignty encompasses data control, technological dependencies, and ensuring a company's operational capability.

Dönges also highlighted the dependencies on major technology providers, particularly from the US. He warned of the risks of "vendor lock-in," which can make the control of systems and data difficult and costly. Issues also frequently stem from companies' internal structures, such as a lack of documentation or incompatible security solutions.

The Cybersecurity Center aims to strengthen the digital sovereignty of SMEs by providing them with tools for data management, choice in open systems, and preparation for potential disruption scenarios. Dönges underscored that digital sovereignty and cybersecurity should be at the core of business strategy and the responsibility of company leadership.