IAGA Probe Tech Sovereignty at Munich Cyber Security Conference

John Higgins moderated a debate on Europe’s Tech Sovereignty at the influential Munich Cyber Security Conference (MCSC) in February. With over 1100 registered delegates in 2026, and taking place immediately before the main Munich Security Conference, the MCSC is now one of the world’s premier cyber and AI security conferences. In the debate Deputy Director General Despina Spanou presented the European Commission’s approach. Despina explained that trusted suppliers would be welcome to do business in the European Market and this would be the thrust of Europe’s aims to achieve sovereignty in digital technologies. Although country of origin is a factor in the classification of trusted suppliers, it is not the main determinant. John Miller, Senior Vice President of the Washington, US based Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC) summarised ITIC’s paper on Tech Sovereignty. John argued that global interconnectedness amongst trusted partners strengthens, rather than weakens, resilience, security, and competitiveness. The debate concluded with much agreement on the underlying approach to tech sovereignty but concerns remained that geopolitical forces would push European policy makers towards a more origin-based choice which many felt risked limiting European access to the world’s best digital technologies.