Expert believes Norway must become more digitally independent
Norway should to a greater extent choose Norwegian and European solutions when it comes to technology and digital services. This is the main message from Espen A. Andersen, who is a partner at the law firm Thommessen. He believes that the current dependence on large, international technology companies can pose a risk to the country's digital sovereignty.
Digital sovereignty is about a country having control over its own data, systems, and technological infrastructure. Today, many Norwegian companies and public agencies are dependent on large American players to store information and operate digital services. Andersen points out that this makes Norway vulnerable if international providers change their rules or services.
To strengthen this sovereignty, Andersen suggests that Norwegian authorities should set stricter requirements in public tenders. By prioritizing European and Norwegian alternatives, one can build up more local expertise and ensure that data remains under Norwegian control. This can also help create new jobs and promote innovation in the Norwegian technology sector.
The debate on digital security has become increasingly important in line with the growing threat from cyberattacks and espionage. Many experts agree that it is necessary to have a plan for how Norway will handle critical digital services in the future. The discussion about whether we should choose national solutions over global ones will therefore likely shape technological development in the years to come.