CPT Conference 2026: Why our freedom ist also written into software
In a world where the line between analog life and digital space is becoming increasingly blurred, digital sovereignty is no longer a technical luxury, but the foundation of our democracy in Germany and Europe.
In the field of cybersecurity, this means retaining full control over what happens to sensitive data while also having the necessary expertise to understand the technologies used in depth. At CPT2026, I was able to listen to exciting presentations on these core topics over two days and contribute my views to a thoroughly controversial discussion in the panel.
Digital Sovereignty Is the Foundation of Democracy
Only those who do not become dependent on individual, market-dominating providers from third countries retain the freedom to switch to trustworthy alternatives in an emergency. The threat posed by technological dependence is real and undermines the cornerstones of democracy, which are based on trust and transparency.
If the cybersecurity of our public administration and democratic institutions is tied to proprietary software and AI that we cannot independently verify, a dangerous black box is created. In times of rising geopolitical tensions, such dependencies can easily be used as political leverage. A sudden halt to security updates or the deliberate manipulation of AI can not only paralyze infrastructure, but also permanently shake confidence in our state.
My statement at CTPT2026:
"Only those who control the digital infrastructure can secure a long-term framework for a democratic society."
For Germany and Europe, expanding their own digital capacities is therefore an existential task. Europe has proven that it can set global standards, but there is still considerable ground to make up in AI and cloud structures.
However, technological sovereignty is the only guarantee that European values will not only exist on paper, but can also be effectively implemented in technical terms. At the same time, sovereignty strengthens domestic innovation and creates an ecosystem of companies whose solutions are based on transparency and trust. More providers from Europe lead to more choice and competition for customers.
