The digital landscape is undergoing a transformative shift, as highlighted in the eight featured dotmagazine articles that explore the intricate intersection of policy, regulation and technological innovation. Across these perspectives, a shared urgency emerges: aligning digital transformation with sustainability, security and global collaboration to build a future-ready digital ecosystem.
Germany’s digital strategy: A call for reform
eco Association and its members are at the forefront of shaping Germany and Europe’s digital future. In advance of Germany’s forthcoming election, Alexander Rabe, eco’s Managing Director, advocates for a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s digital strategy. In particular, his vision includes streamlined policies, the establishment of a Ministry of Digitalization and alignment with EU frameworks to enhance competitiveness and innovation.
The EU’s transformative regulatory landscape and resilience
All across Europe, the technology sector faces a transformative year in 2025 as new regulations like the EU AI Act and Data Act take effect. Oliver SĂĽme, Chair of the eco Board, and John Cassels of Fieldfisher analyse eight key trends, demonstrating both challenges, such as intellectual property disputes and cybersecurity threats, as well as opportunities for innovation through ethical AI and energy-efficient technologies.
Building on European challenges, Ulrich Plate of nGENn and Head of the eco KRITIS Competence Group examines the transformative impact of the EU’s NIS2 and CER Directives, showcasing their potential to bolster the resilience of Europe’s critical industries. While these directives represent significant progress, Plate emphasises the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to address implementation challenges effectively. Such efforts are vital to enhancing Europe’s digital security and stability.
Global governance and multistakeholder collaboration
Global governance also takes centre stage. Lars Steffen, Head of International, Digital Infrastructures & Resilience at the eco Association, underscores the importance of multistakeholder collaboration through initiatives like WSIS+20, tackling issues like Internet fragmentation, cybersecurity threats and alignment with the UN’s SDGs. Looking ahead, Steffen underscores how industry collaboration will be essential in driving responsible digital transformation through shared best practices and comprehensive governance solutions.
Safeguarding sensitive data in the cloud
As businesses – in Germany, Europe and across the globe – increasingly rely on cloud computing, safeguarding sensitive data is paramount. EuroCloud Deutschland’s white paper, presented in dotmagazine by eco Board Member Prof. Norbert Pohlmann, showcases Confidential Computing as a breakthrough in secure cloud adoption, safeguarding sensitive data while promoting innovation in sectors like healthcare and finance. Pohlmann’s insights illustrate how technology can address pressing concerns around privacy and sovereignty while fostering trust in digital transformation.
Driving sustainability through digital innovation
On the broad sustainability front, Philippe Strübbe of Nomios Germany stresses the need for energy-efficient IT operations amid rising costs and stricter regulations. He highlights server consolidation, energy-efficient hardware and renewable energy – required to reach 100% by 2027 under Germany’s Energy Efficiency Act – as key strategies to align sustainability with competitiveness. Similarly, Stephan Noller and Cosima Gräf of UBIRCH emphasise greener IT practices, from energy-efficient hardware to the adoption of renewable energy, as essential responses to rising energy costs and stringent emissions reporting under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Their shared perspectives highlight the dual benefits of aligning environmental responsibility with economic opportunity.
Balancing regulation and Internet openness
Thomas Rickert of rickert.law and eco’s Director Names & Numbers advocates for a balanced approach to tackling illegal online content. He calls for targeted measures that preserve Internet openness while ensuring accountability. Rickert’s perspective reflects a further broad theme: the need for cooperation to navigate an increasingly complex digital policy environment.
As the digital landscape evolves, these thought leaders collectively highlight the path forward: a harmonious blend of regulation, innovation, and sustainability. The future digital ecosystem depends on the unified efforts of businesses, governments and civil society to build a secure, inclusive and responsible digital world. Our collective success depends on transforming this vision into coordinated, pragmatic action – bridging technological innovation with ethical, sustainable governance.
