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In an increasingly regulated and interconnected world, the concept of digital sovereignty is no longer a theoretical debate but a critical business imperative for financial institutions in Belgium. The European Union's focus on data protection, operational resilience, and supply chain security, exemplified by new regulations like the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), is reshaping the landscape for banks. This evolving framework places a new level of accountability on CIOs to not only ensure the security of their data but also to demonstrate control over their entire technology stack, including where their data is stored, processed, and by whom. 

For financial institutions, a strategic approach to cloud adoption is needed, but not simple to achieve. The challenge lies in leveraging the benefits of modern cloud infrastructure while simultaneously preparing to meet strict sovereignty requirements. This necessitates a careful consideration of cloud architecture, including hybrid and multi-cloud models, and a thorough understanding of data residency and governance. 

During this CIONET round table, we’ll focus on the following discussion topics:

• Defining Digital Sovereignty: What constitutes true digital sovereignty for a Belgian bank, and how can it be measured and achieved?
• Navigating the Regulatory Framework: How are financial institutions interpreting and preparing for regulations like DORA, and what are the biggest compliance hurdles?
• Architecting for Resilience: Strategies for designing and implementing hybrid and multi-cloud architectures that are both operationally resilient and compliant with EU standards.
• Supply Chain and Vendor Management: How to effectively manage the risks associated with third-party cloud service providers and maintain control over the technology supply chain.
• The Path to Implementation: Practical steps and best practices for transitioning to a sovereign cloud model while minimizing business disruption and maximizing value.