Many providers promise “true digital sovereignty” as if it were a product you can buy once and own forever. But this is an illusion.

Digital sovereignty doesn’t mean reaching a final state. It is about continuously maintaining control over systems, data, and processes.

In this article, we explain why sovereignty is an ongoing process, the role of open source and GDPR-compliant cloud solutions, and how the Sovereign Cloud Group (SCG) helps organizations remain independent in the long term.

1. Why “true digital sovereignty” is a myth

• Global dependencies remain: Hardware, chips, software come from international supply chains. As well as skilled personnel, they cannot be completely avoided.
• Sovereignty is relative: Even an open source cloud requires governance, expertise, and clear responsibilities – without these, sovereignty is only theoretical.
• Technologies evolve rapidly: A system that seems sovereign today can present new risks tomorrow; through security vulnerabilities, regulatory changes, or product discontinuations.

Companies taking digital sovereignty seriously must understand it as an ongoing process not a one-time achievement.

2. Digital Sovereignty in Practice: Assess, Decide, Adapt

Sovereign cloud infrastructures are created through continuous decision-making:

• Which systems should we deploy? 
• How do we avoid vendor lock-in?
• When does using proprietary software make sense and how do we ensure exit strategies?
• How do we guarantee GDPR compliance, even as data volumes grow?

The ability to make informed decisions at any time and adapt systems flexibly is the core of practical digital sovereignty.

3. The Modular Approach of the Sovereign Cloud Group (SCG)

SCG unites four strong partners in a unique alliance: hardware, storage, networking, and cloud software.

Our approach: modularity instead of monoliths.

We compare it to a building-block system: Each component is a block that can be deployed, replaced, or combined independently. This creates a European cloud solution that is:

• GDPR-compliant,
• based on open source,
• scalable,
• and free from vendor lock-in.

Conclusion:

Digital sovereignty is not a product, it is a continuous responsibility.

Organizations, universities and public institutions do not need promises of “true sovereignty,” but practical freedom of action and operational independence.

With the Sovereign Cloud Group, you get a cloud infrastructure that protects your independence – today and in the future.