“Breakthrough to Digitalization and Innovation” – this is a central promise in the coalition agreement of the traffic light alliance. Around three years later, the Digital Summit in Frankfurt am Main presents a mixed picture: much potential remains untapped – especially for German businesses and public administration. Therefore, LC by vBoxx calls on the federal government to increase commitment and strengthen support for data protection.
Where Does Germany Stand?
At the Digital Summit 2024, Digital Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) emphasized some progress, such as the expansion of fiber optic networks – every third household in Germany has a fiber optic connection. However, in other important areas, particularly administrative digitalization, Germany lags behind. Basic applications, such as those for national ID cards or parental allowance, still have to be submitted in person at offices and on paper in many places. These outdated processes lead to overburdened authorities and long waiting times.
Modern and secure cloud solutions could provide relief here by accelerating administrative processes and replacing paper files – an important step toward making Wissing’s vision of a “digital only” administration a reality.
Reduced Budget Slows Administrative Digitalization
Despite the pressing digitalization crisis, the federal government has made drastic cuts in the 2024 budget: only 3.3 million euros are available for administrative digitalization, a fraction of the originally planned 377 million euros.
“Now is the time to step on the gas,” demands Sczepurek, COO of leitzcloud by vBoxx. “Many administrations and businesses are only at the beginning of their digital journey. The government must realign its strategy and treat digitalization as a priority.”
It is not only the administration that struggles with digital hurdles. Digital transformation is also of critical importance for businesses to remain competitive, streamline internal processes, and ensure security.
Dare More Digital Sovereignty
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (GREENS) emphasized at the summit the need to strengthen Europe’s digital sovereignty. leitzcloud by vBoxx supports this position: given the increasing dependence on US providers and the access rights of foreign authorities enabled by the CLOUD Act, it is crucial for Germany and Europe to increasingly rely on their own technologies.
“To remain secure and independent in the long term, it is essential that Germany independently promotes data protection-compliant and efficient solutions,” says Sczepurek.
Europe is actively leading the way in digitalization in the area of cybersecurity. Regulations such as the NIS-2 Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) establish clear rules for protection against cyberattacks and ensure greater security in the digital space. For businesses, data protection thus becomes a cornerstone of digital transformation – a principle that leitzcloud by vBoxx already implements with its 100% GDPR-compliant cloud solution, email solution, and password manager.
Germany still has a long way to go to fully realize the potential of digitalization. However, with targeted strategies, investments, and technologies that combine data protection and efficiency, the country can close the digital gap.
