Digital sovereignty: A competitive advantage through open source

Digitization has long been a central part of everyday work in companies. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular often rely on offers from large international tech companies. However, this practice entails risks – especially when it comes to data protection and digital sovereignty.

Why digital sovereignty is important

When Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offerings are used outside of Germany and the EU, business-critical data is often processed in countries that are subject to different data protection laws. One example is the US Cloud Act, which allows US authorities worldwide access to data stored by US companies. This can not only lead to data protection violations, but also to a loss of control over custom systems and sensitive information.

For SMEs, the loss of digital sovereignty can have serious consequences in an emergency: in addition to legal and financial risks under the GDPR, there is also the threat of reputational damage that can permanently impair the trust of customers and partners.

Open source as a solution

To minimize these risks, a change in thinking is needed. One alternative to proprietary software is open-source solutions. These are characterized by open source codes that can be reviewed by independent experts. This gives users transparency about how their data is processed and whether the software meets their data protection standards.

In addition, open-source applications offer flexibility and an appealing user-friendliness that is on par with proprietary systems. In contrast to the “black box” solutions from large providers, they also ensure transparent data processing and thus make a decisive contribution to ensuring digital sovereignty.

What companies should consider

Companies considering open source solutions should pay attention to the following aspects:

• Hosting in Germany: If hosting is not possible in a custom IT landscape, data should be stored in data centers in Germany or Europe to meet the requirements of the GDPR.
   
• Data processing agreements: A legally binding contract should be concluded with the service provider to ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
• Certifications: Certifications such as ISO27001 and the C5 requirements for cloud providers are important indicators of data security.

OpenTalk: A secure open source video conferencing solution

OpenTalk is an example of a secure and transparent open source video conferencing solution designed specifically for companies and public institutions. Thanks to its modern architecture and hosting in German data centers, OpenTalk ensures the highest security standards and helps companies maintain their digital sovereignty.

As a secure video conferencing solution with flexible deployment options, OpenTalk is a powerful alternative to proprietary systems – while guaranteeing data protection and transparency.

Digital sovereignty is not a luxury, but a necessity for remaining competitive in the long term. Open source solutions offer companies the opportunity to retain control over their data while benefiting from innovative, secure applications.