Digital Sovereignty and Geopolitical Risks for Businesses

This document is a technical report that discusses the implications of digital sovereignty in the context of geopolitical tensions and their impact on critical infrastructure sectors such as finance, energy, and healthcare. It outlines the risks associated with relying on external jurisdictions for operational stability, particularly in light of recent events like the US-Iran ceasefire and the Greenland Crisis. The report emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough root cause analyses rather than simply reacting to near misses, which can lead to systemic vulnerabilities. It presents the concept of 'Exit Velocity' as a critical measure for organizations to assess their ability to migrate operations swiftly in response to geopolitical changes. The document also includes a fiduciary checklist for boards to evaluate jurisdictional risks and operational resilience, highlighting the need for strategic optionality in maintaining core operations amidst external pressures. Overall, it advocates for a proactive approach to digital sovereignty as a fundamental design consideration for business continuity.