Why digital sovereignty is Europe’s next big challenge: An inside out view from Isabella Sacchi – Re

Bridging law and cybersecurity 

Isabella Sacchi joined Sopra Steria in March 2023 as a regulatory compliance consultant within the GRC team. With a legal background and a strong understanding of ICT security, she brings a unique perspective to one of the most pressing topics in tech today: digital sovereignty. 

The geopolitical wakeup call 

This topic is trending now for good reasons. Isabella points to the Draghi Report on EU competitiveness and the current geopolitical instability as key drivers. “Conflicts and shifting alliances are making it clear that the EU needs to protect its digital infrastructure and autonomy.” 

Looking ahead: sovereignty as strategy 

Isabella sees digital sovereignty becoming central to the EU’s competitiveness strategy over the next five years. “It’s the current hot topic like the Green Deal was in 2019.  

“EU digital sovereignty refers to the European Union’s ability to act independently in the digital world,” Isabella explains. “It’s about reducing reliance on third country providers and strengthening trust through compliance with regulations like GDPR, the AI Act, and NIS2.” 

A clear example for European companies, choosing EU based cloud providers can be a safer and more compliant path. “You avoid the complexity of transfer impact assessments and legal but also security uncertainties that come with non-EU providers.” 

How it’s shaping her work 

This isn’t just theory. It’s changing the way Isabella works with clients.  

“They’re asking how to shift to sovereign and compliant solutions while staying competitive and efficient. Whether it’s cloud choices, GDPR, or preparing for the AI Act, they want strategic advice that balances innovation with regulation.” 

Sopra Steria’s role in the shift 

Isabella sees Sopra Steria as well positioned to lead in this space. “We’re a local European tech player and clients are starting to value that more. Digital sovereignty is a strategic opportunity we cannot miss. In this regard, we are seeing increasing demand from major EU stakeholders. Sopra Steria is already actively contributing to key EU cloud initiatives such as the Simpl project.” 

The Simpl project (Secure Interoperable Middleware for Public and Private Data Spaces) is an open-source middleware platform developed to enable secure, interoperable data exchange across sectors and borders within the EU. It acts as the technological backbone for data spaces, helping organisations share and access data in a trusted and efficient way. 

Why it matters to Isabella 

Her passion for this topic runs deep. “During my legal studies, I focused on data protection law, and now I get to apply that knowledge in a way that helps businesses and individuals feeling safer online. It’s incredibly fulfilling.” For her, digital sovereignty is a step toward a more secure and values-driven digital world.  

In a rapidly evolving landscape, Isabella’s work reminds us that true innovation must go hand in hand with trust, compliance, and a commitment to protecting what matters most: our rights, our data, and our future.