Skip to main content

WHITE PAPER SERIES   02

Digital Sovereignty Radar

In Germany and the European Union, digital sovereignty means the emancipated and autonomous use of digital resources — avoiding one-sided dependencies and the disadvantages that come with them. This stands in contrast to how the term is sometimes used elsewhere, where it can refer to state control over internet access.

"This article focuses exclusively on digital sovereignty understood as the independent and self-determined use of digital functions and services — a fundamental prerequisite for the sustainable protection of human rights, democracy, and economic prosperity."

Dimensions of a Digital Sovereignty Radar

Sovereignty is often simplistically equated with operating IT infrastructure domestically or relying on open-source software. However, the freedom to assume digital roles in a self-determined and secure manner encompasses a far broader set of factors, all of which should be reflected in the proposed Digital Sovereignty Radar. The Radar’s essential division is between an upper half focused on provider interchangeability and a lower half concerned with trust in the computing infrastructure.

   Provider Interchangeability

Covering open source, redundancy, supply chain, elasticity, and standards—ensuring no single vendor can create a lock-in situation.

   Trust in Integrity of System

Covering confidentiality, own key/IDP, remote attestation, AI regulation, Europe, and ownership—ensuring systems remain under full legal and technical control.


click to enlarge

.

The Radar as a Foundation for Work on Digital Sovereignty

The Digital Sovereignty Radar introduced in this article is more than an illustration—it is a starting point for honest, structured, and actionable conversations about digital independence. Each of the twelve dimensions can be assessed, measured, and improved over time. As organizations grow more aware of the risks tied to vendor lock-in, unfavorable legal jurisdictions, and insufficient runtime protection, the radar provides a shared language to navigate these challenges. The ongoing development of sovereignty indices by leading organizations signals a broader shift in the industry—one where digital sovereignty moves from an abstract ideal to a measurable, comparable, and achievable standard.We look forward to contributing to this evolution and to seeing the radar serve as a practical compass for organizations on their path toward full digital sovereignty.