Digital sovereignty: This is how the Fall Academy 2025 protects your data!

Digital sovereignty: This is how the Fall Academy 2025 protects your data!

In the digital era, sovereignty and privacy are crucial in the face of cyberattacks, data leaks and identity theft. This topic will be discussed in detail as part of the 2025 Fall Academy at Ulm University, which will take place from September 22nd to 25th. Under the overarching motto “Secure in the digital world”, the event is intended to offer practical insights and solutions. Registration is already possible now.

The opening lecture will be given on Monday by Jutta Horstmann, who will discuss the risks of dependence on tech companies. She will also address strengthening digital sovereignty through open source software. On Tuesday there will be a lecture by Professor Florian Schaub from the University of Michigan, who will shed light on the protection of personal data in social media and smart home technologies.

Practical insights and contributions

On the following days, Dr. Bastian Könings together with Dr. Matthias Wübbeling will explain to the participants how digital attacks on companies and organizations take place. The academy concludes with a lecture by Professor Robert Heinrich, who will deal with the development of secure software solutions.

The event also includes around 20 working groups that offer practical tips and discussion opportunities. Additional topics include “Islam in Germany” and “Fairy Tales and Painting”. Relaxation and creative development are guaranteed through offers during the lunch break and campus tours. A special cultural highlight is the concert by the Vox Humana choir on Monday evening.

The participation fee is 90 euros; for support group members it is 80 euros. Individual lectures can also be booked. The academy cooperates with the Network for Senior Internet Initiatives Baden-Württemberg e. V. and offers comprehensive information about registration at info(at)zawiw.de and by telephone via the ZAWiW secretariat.

Digital sovereignty in Europe

The topic of digital sovereignty is examined from different sides. An important aspect is the race for digital sovereignty, which can be viewed as a geopolitical test of strength. Europe aims to build its own skills and infrastructure in areas such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence and cloud technologies. But the EU's progress report on the “Digital Decade 2030” shows that many member states are falling short of targets, particularly when it comes to sovereign cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity.

A growing dependence on non-European suppliers and US tariffs and export controls are creating uncertainty for European companies. This situation increases the population's distrust of US security solutions. A Bitkom survey shows that more and more German startups are turning away from US providers due to concerns about dependencies and inadequate data protection.

Arved Graf von Stackelberg puts it in a nutshell: Digital sovereignty means that organizations can decide for themselves over their data and security infrastructure. In addition, the NIS2 directive requires that authorities and companies develop security solutions from European providers. As part of these developments, it is crucial to create a resilient European data security ecosystem.

Promoting and scaling local solutions are essential steps to ensure independent digitalization in Europe. Digital sovereignty and cyber resilience represent strategic necessities for IT security. The Autumn Academy at Ulm University offers a valuable platform to further discuss these topics and find solutions.