Europe’s Digital Crossroads: Can Breaking Tech Dependence Secure the Continent?

As cyberattacks escalate and digital battle lines blur, Europe faces a pivotal question: can it truly defend itself while relying on foreign technology? At the fifth International “CyberSEC” Conference in Rome, Alessandra Michelini, CEO of Telsy, issued a stark warning - Europe’s digital sovereignty is about far more than gadgets and code. It’s about national security, industrial competitiveness, and the continent’s place in a high-stakes geopolitical game.

“Reducing dependence on technologies developed outside the EU means limiting vulnerabilities to cyber risks,” Michelini declared in front of top officials and cyber experts. Her message was clear: every imported chip or software package could be a potential backdoor, a silent vulnerability waiting to be exploited. As conflicts rage and digital warfare becomes a daily reality, the stakes for Europe’s critical infrastructure - energy grids, transport networks, communication lines - have never been higher.

Michelini stressed that digital sovereignty isn’t a buzzword; it’s a prerequisite for operational continuity and strategic autonomy. Without it, Europe risks ceding control of its future to foreign actors, both state and criminal. “A clear, recognizable jurisdiction over digital infrastructure is crucial,” she said, arguing that only by building and governing its own tech can Europe ensure reliability and trust.

But technology alone isn’t enough. Michelini pointed to the “decisive role of skills,” emphasizing that the human factor remains the frontline defense against cybercrime. While automation and AI - especially Large Language Models (LLMs) and advanced threat intelligence - are transforming incident response, only a workforce skilled in the latest techniques can adapt as threats evolve. “Continuous, high-quality training is indispensable,” she insisted, calling for collaboration between businesses, institutions, and academia.

Italy, Michelini noted, is in a unique position: decades of experience in defending sensitive communications and strategic assets have created a reservoir of cyber expertise. Now, with public and private sectors increasingly collaborating, there’s a real opportunity to turn this knowledge into a competitive advantage for the national - and European - digital economy.

Yet, the challenge is urgent. As attackers grow more sophisticated and digital interdependence deepens, Europe must decide whether to remain a digital consumer or become a digital leader. The answer, Michelini suggests, will shape not just the continent’s cybersecurity, but its economic and political future.

As Europe stands at this digital crossroads, the path it chooses will determine whether it can secure its assets - or remain vulnerable to the invisible hands that move through foreign code.

WIKICROOK

• Digital Sovereignty: Digital sovereignty is a nation's ability to control and protect its digital infrastructure and data from external threats, ensuring autonomy and security.
• Critical Infrastructure: Critical infrastructure includes key systems - like power, water, and healthcare - whose failure would seriously disrupt society or the economy.
• Large Language Model (LLM): A Large Language Model (LLM) is an AI trained to understand and generate human-like text, often used in chatbots, assistants, and content tools.
• Threat Intelligence: Threat intelligence is information about cyber threats that helps organizations anticipate, identify, and defend against potential cyberattacks.
• Security Operation Center (SOC): A SOC is a dedicated team or facility that monitors, detects, and responds to cybersecurity threats in real time to safeguard organizational assets.