Advertorial Article from the Handelsblatt Journal Security and Defense
Since Russia's attack on Ukraine, hybrid operations, cyberattacks, and espionage have increased in Europe. Leaders in politics, the armed forces, public administration, and industry must simultaneously manage more classified data, ranging from VS-NfD and GEHEIM to EU and NATO SECRET, stricter secrecy requirements, and shorter decision-making cycles – a dilemma for decision-making capacity. To address this, two pillars are needed: a sovereign, highly secure IT architecture from the cloud to the field, and a new information culture with AI-supported decision support.
Cloud-Fog-Edge as the backbone of leadership capability
Highly secure command and control systems require a distributed multi-cloud architecture with high-performance cloud data centers, regional fog nodes, and networked edge systems in the field. In sovereign cloud environments, data is aggregated, services are provided, and AI-supported analyses are enabled, even at high levels of confidentiality. Cryptography and domain separation ensure compliance with classified information spaces.
At the fog and edge levels, in command centers, crisis management teams, command posts, or control centers of critical infrastructure, deployable, hardened systems must enable secure access to classified data and information exchange with partners, even under adverse conditions. For industry and procurement agencies, this architecture represents a long-term investment program and the foundation for future leadership capabilities.
Therefore, the procurement of certified hardware and crypto components, from network encryption to sovereign cloud stacks and integration services, must now be approached in a targeted manner.
Information culture and AI: from "need to know" to "share to win"„
With each sensor, the volume of data increases, and with it the risk of relevant information getting stuck in the system. The central question thus shifts from "who is allowed to know" (need to know) to "who needs to know" in order to act. The "share to win" approach aims to reconcile confidentiality and speed.
Various AI technologies support this: Optimization and operations research methods plan forces, supplies, and transportation. Machine learning models recognize patterns, fuse sensor data, and report anomalies, while generative methods and AI agents consolidate situational awareness and suggest courses of action.
Standardized, interchangeable AI modules run on highly secure infrastructures, thus increasing technological sovereignty and resilience. And it remains true that humans decide, monitor, and intervene when necessary (human in/on the loop).
What needs to be done by 2029
By 2029 at the latest, the German Armed Forces, authorities and operators of critical infrastructure must be capable of leading and acting in light of NATO's planning for possible escalation scenarios.
- First, it must High-security IT from the "real estate logic" towards a modular, installable solution with uniform safety standards up to the deployment company. Authorities and civilian actors must be networked in such a way that, in accordance with the new German operations plan, joint situational awareness and coordinated action are possible in crisis and defense situations.
- Secondly, it needs a Prioritizing sovereign infrastructure. National and European solutions in cryptography, security hardware and cloud security ensure the protection of classified information while simultaneously creating added value and industrial capability.
- Thirdly, it needs a A clear regulatory framework for AI in safety-critical areas: Strict governance, mandatory testing and red teaming, as well as sovereign datasets shared by EU and NATO partners, are essential. Only then will it be worthwhile for industry and technology providers to establish long-term programs – instead of constantly launching new pilot projects that quickly fizzle out. Procurement officers in ministries, armed forces, and government agencies should measure every investment against one simple question: Does it demonstrably strengthen our leadership and decision-making capabilities in crisis and defense situations – or not?
Secure, sovereign IT solutions and AI-supported management and information systems are thus becoming a central cornerstone not only of digital sovereignty, but of digital freedom in Europe.
Photo: © Katharina Taubert
