High time for digital sovereignty
Why the north is making the difference now, and why Duocast believes in it
The call for digital sovereignty is growing louder. Geopolitical tensions and the dominance of large foreign technology companies reveal how vulnerable our digital infrastructure has become. Who controls our data? Where is it stored? And who decides when something goes wrong? These are no longer theoretical questions — they directly affect our economy, security, and capacity for innovation. That is precisely why it is good that Samenwerking Noord is placing this theme centre stage at the "High time for digital sovereignty" event at the Niemeyerfabriek in Groningen.
A northern ecosystem of autonomy
Where much of Europe is still talking strategy, the northern Netherlands is already putting it into practice. The region is building an ecosystem in which public and private parties work together on digital independence. Initiatives such as the Cloud of the North, Duocast Connect+, the AI Factory, and countless other northern companies reinforce one another at the intersection of data, infrastructure, and innovation. Work is well underway on infrastructure through which data can flow securely, locally, and sustainably — under European law and with visibility across the entire chain. From fibre to cloud, from software to knowledge development.
Why this matters to Duocast
For Duocast, digital sovereignty is not a trend but a starting point. Every organisation that operates digitally deserves infrastructure that is reliable, transparent, and under its own control. That is why we deliberately choose European technology (Nokia), data storage in the Netherlands, and management by our own teams. Our vision is straightforward: those who understand and manage their own infrastructure retain control over their digital future. This goes beyond technology alone. Digital autonomy also means being able to trust the continuity of connections — knowing there is a second route, that latency remains predictable, and that there is no dependence on suppliers outside European jurisdiction. That is the essence of Duocast Connect+: continuity without compromise.
Stronger together
The Samenwerking Noord event shows that a movement is gaining momentum in the north, one in which government, education, and business are finding each other. This collaboration is crucial, because digital sovereignty is not something you achieve alone. It requires shared infrastructure, shared knowledge, and a shared conviction that independence begins with collaboration. And that is something Duocast is proud to contribute to.
About the event
"High time for digital sovereignty" took place in October 2025 at the Niemeyerfabriek in Groningen. With keynotes by:
Kees Verhoeven
Roger Samdal (Sopra Steria)
Ronald Stolk (AI Factory / Cloud of the North)
And an information market with contributions from, among others, Duocast, SURF, UMCG, and New Nexus.
