Europe’s Cybersecurity Independence Depends on Buyers Taking Action
Summary
Ahead of an October 15 summit, the author argues that European cybersecurity suppliers need committed buyers, funded deployments and practical procurement changes, while organizations should assess technology dependencies and migration risks.
Key points
- European cybersecurity startups can struggle to win enterprise contracts without references, deployment budgets or established procurement pathways.
- Buyers can help suppliers scale through funded deployments, multi-year contracts, engineering support and customer references.
- Organizations should assess specific technology dependencies, set transition goals and weigh migration risks against the costs of staying with current suppliers.
- European ownership alone does not guarantee control; organizations should verify control of keys, data, maintenance and supplier access, while preserving interoperability.
- Boards should assign authority, budget and accountability for decisions about acceptable dependencies.
- The article promotes an October 15, 2026, online panel on Europe’s cybersecurity and technological independence.
Article Details
- Topic
- European cybersecurity sovereignty, procurement, and scaling European cybersecurity suppliers
People
Cristina CaffarraCompetition economist, co-founder, and Chair of the EuroStack Foundation; participating in the summit discussion on European cybersecurity demand.LaurentArticle author and moderator of the October 15 discussion.Malte PollmannFormer CEO of Utimaco and current adviser to funds on enterprise software and cybersecurity; participating in the summit discussion on building and investment.Nolwenn Le SterCOO of Almond and Chair of Numeum’s Cybersecurity Commission; participating in the summit discussion on security operations and adoption.
Countries
Francesecurity operations and adoption. COO of Almond, former leader of Capgemini’s cybersecurity activities in France, and Chair of Numeum’s Cybersecurity Commission. Nolwenn brings the delivery perspective: makingGermanyItaly, France, Germany. An economist, a service company leader, a company builder. My goal is to connect their views on the decisions that help European suppliers grow.ItalyItaly, France, Germany. An economist, a service company leader, a company builder. My goal is to connect their views on the decisions that help European suppliers grow.