We live in an era when digitalization permeates every aspect of our lives, from personal and professional routines to public and critical services that ensure society's functioning.
However, this growing reliance on technological solutions, often developed and managed by external entities, raises questions about nations' digital sovereignty. How can we guarantee our infrastructures' security, integrity, and autonomy if we do not control the tools that underpin them? This is the essence of cyber sovereignty and its connection to technological independence.
Technological dependency and national vulnerability
Any country's critical infrastructures—energy, transportation, healthcare, telecommunications, and defence—are increasingly dependent on digital solutions. The issue arises when foreign companies develop or manage these technologies, weakening a nation’s control over its systems. This external dependency heightens vulnerabilities to cyberattacks, digital espionage, and political pressures, creating systemic risks. A recent attack on energy infrastructures in several countries demonstrated how a failure in a digital system can cause devastating disruptions to essential services.
The Impact on daily life
Our reliance on digital solutions extends beyond critical sectors. Citizens depend on technology for remote work, accessing public services, and communication. When external entities provide these solutions, the security of our data and the continuity of these services become vulnerable. In times of crisis, control over these technologies can be compromised, directly affecting people’s lives and the operation of essential services.
Freedoms and fundamental rights at stake
Cyber sovereignty is also a matter of fundamental rights. By depending on external technology, we risk compromising the privacy and protection of our data. Companies controlling these solutions, intentionally or not, may infringe on freedoms such as expression and protection against surveillance. The lack of control over our systems enables external interventions that threaten both individual and national rights.
Empowerment and awareness as a solution
To ensure cyber sovereignty, nations must invest substantially in internal digital capacity building. Both citizens and institutions need robust cybersecurity skills and a mindset geared toward digital safety. This requires a comprehensive approach that integrates technical training, social awareness, and continuous education, fostering the development of local expertise—from scientific research to the implementation and management of digital systems. Moreover, citizens must be prepared to navigate the digital landscape securely.
Just as we learn basic safety norms in the physical world—like crossing streets safely or acting cautiously—these skills must be adapted to the digital context. Developing a specialized cybersecurity workforce becomes a national priority, ensuring the country has internal resources to protect critical infrastructures and reduce reliance on external technological solutions.
Raising public awareness about the risks and responsibilities associated with digital technology use is equally essential. By empowering users to protect themselves independently, we promote a culture of cybersecurity where every citizen plays an active role in collective digital protection.
Fostering innovation and research processes that reduce medium—and long-term external dependency is also necessary. This will enhance the country’s internal capacity, enabling the development of proprietary solutions for critical and sensitive areas. Open-source solutions can play a pivotal role in this process, as they allow for the analysis, verification, and adaptation of systems, ensuring transparency and technological independence.
This approach strengthens cybersecurity and resilience against attacks and fortifies national sovereignty.
By: Tiago Pedrosa
Affiliate Researcher at the CCG/ZGDV Institute specializing in cybersecurity issues
