Digital sovereignty: how Swiss companies are taking back control of their data
Between Silicon Valley and Brussels: why Switzerland needs its own approach to data.
The digital landscape has changed fundamentally. Today, Swiss companies are caught between the speed of American innovation and the density of European regulation. This position requires an independent approach to digital sovereignty.
June 2025, text Tanja Dujic 3 min.
Many companies have built cloud infrastructures in recent years without fully considering the long-term consequences. Today, they face the reality that their data is subject to foreign laws – with all the legal and strategic implications.
The US CLOUD Act gives US authorities access to data regardless of where it is physically stored. At the same time, European business activities are subject to strict data protection regulations. Swiss companies are looking for ways to maintain their ability to act within these different legal systems. This dual legal obligation is more than just a technical detail – it also defines new business risks.
Transparency of the data landscape
A lot of companies only have a rough idea of where their critical data is actually stored. In many cases, cloud contracts were signed years ago, and exponential growth in data volumes means they’ve lost sight of the overall picture.
This lack of transparency is a risk. Modern governance requires a complete data map – from customer information and financial figures to development projects. You have to know where your data is in order to make informed decisions based on it and gain a competitive advantage with initial artificial intelligence applications.
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AI readiness as a strategic foundation
Amid all the technical discourse, it often gets overlooked that successful digital sovereignty begins with organisational readiness. AI applications and sovereign data processing place similar demands on governance, skills and processes.
‘Companies that systematically develop their AI readiness are also laying the foundations for data sovereignty. This connection is no coincidence – both areas require sophisticated data strategies and clear responsibilities.’
Lukas Hebeisen, Head of Product Line Cloud, Swisscom
The first concrete step
Transformation begins with understanding. Before companies fundamentally rethink their data architecture, they need to honestly assess their current situation. Where do they stand in terms of AI readiness? How much control do they really have over their data processing?
This assessment is not just a technical audit, but the foundation for strategic decisions about the future. Understanding where you stand is key to successfully shaping the path to digital sovereignty.
The future belongs to those companies that intelligently connect innovation with sovereignty – an approach with particularly strong potential for organisations in Switzerland, provided they have the courage to start by assessing their current reality.
Conclusion
Digital sovereignty is becoming less of an option and more of a necessity. Geopolitical tension, regulatory tightening and artificial intelligence applications are increasing the pressure on companies to regain control of their data.
Swiss companies are uniquely positioned for this transformation – the combination of technological expertise, regulatory stability and customer trust creates the ideal conditions for digital transformation strategies with sovereignty.
The decision for or against digital sovereignty is being made today, but the effects will last for years. Companies that act proactively are not only shaping their own digital future, but also helping to strengthen Switzerland’s overall position as a digital location.
The time for waiting is over. Shaping digital sovereignty begins with the first conscious decision to take control of your own data.