The most recent public lecture at Hof University of Applied Sciences at the end of April focused on a highly topical issue: “Paths to Digital Sovereignty.” Following opening remarks by Hof University of Applied Sciences’ new Vice President for Research, Prof. Dr. Gerald Schmola, speaker Prof. Dr. Florian Adamsky provided an introduction to the complex interdependencies of modern IT infrastructures—while also encouraging critical reflection.
The starting point of his lecture was a striking statistic: Around 96 percent of all government agencies use Microsoft software solutions.
“We are dealing with a structural one-sidedness that is risky not only technically but also geopolitically.”
Prof. Dr. Florian Adamsky
Especially against the backdrop of international tensions, this dependency could quickly become a problem—for example, through sanctions, tariffs, or regulatory interventions. Examples such as restrictions at the International Criminal Court or price increases at research institutions like CERN illustrated these risks.
Legal aspects also play a role: In cases of doubt, the U.S. CLOUD Act could allow access to European data. Previous agreements like Safe Harbor have shown how fragile international data protection regulations can be. At the same time, the threat from cyberattacks is growing—particularly through standardized attacks on widely used systems. “The more homogeneous our IT landscape is, the more attractive it becomes to attackers,” said Professor Adamsky. Users should pay particular attention to the correct spelling of provider names in browser address bars: even a single (incorrect) character could lead to a phishing attack and result in money being debited from an account unnoticed.
In addition to analyzing the problem, the speaker also outlined concrete options for action. Open-source alternatives such as LibreOffice, Matrix, or Mattermost are technically mature and well-documented. The DI.DAY initiative also offers good strategies for phasing out Big Tech on Sundays. However, strategic preparation is crucial: “Digital sovereignty doesn’t emerge in a crisis—it must be planned in advance.” Real-world examples, such as the extensive phase-out of Microsoft in Schleswig-Holstein, demonstrate that change is possible.
During the subsequent discussion at Café zur Auszeit, questions from the audience were also addressed, such as the role of artificial intelligence or the responsibility of public institutions as role models. There was agreement that digital independence is not only a technical challenge but also a societal one.
The next City Lecture will take place on June 10, 2026, also at Café zur Auszeit. The event “Knowledge, Thinking, Speaking” with Prof. Carsten Stark is already nearly fully booked at this time; only a few seats remain >> to register
