Heaptalk, Jakarta — Rapid and massive digitalization has brought diverse impacts not only on technology and productivity sides but also on social life. According to Tresna Apriansyah, SVP of Products & Enterprise Solutions at DesktopIP, Industry 4.0 and Society 4.0 have led to the era of digital necessity, where embracing digitalization is no longer an option but a must.
All essential public services, including government, education, office work, and healthcare, are carried out with connectivity and data. Without access to the internet and the skills to use digital technology, individuals will be locked out of the modern world.
However, this digital progress undeniably exposes vast amounts of data and information through surging and uncontrollable digital technologies, including personal and government data. As a result, digital anxiety gradually emerges as the threat of data theft increases, and people fear the security of their data. Tresna said that at a higher level, namely the state, security and national sovereignty also depend on control over digital technology.
Growing digital happiness amidst data threats
DesktopIP developed the idea of the digital sovereignty stack as a framework to foster digital happiness amid concerns about data, privacy, and digital overload—data anxiety. “Digital sovereignty arises from people’s fears about data privacy and the overwhelming digital movement. People are starting to worry about their data security,” said Tresna DesktopIP’s SVP Product and Enterprise Solutions.
He further emphasized, “If we address sovereignty issues by only focusing on two factors—location and regulation—we will always fall behind. New technologies are addressed with regulations for domestic adoption. Regulations take a long time. The technology belongs to foreign entities, and we still have no control over it.”
In more detail, he introduced the stack in a triangle consisting of three main components: regulation, institution, and core competencies. To achieve digital sovereignty, institutions must take the initiative. Both private and government sectors need to have movements from institutions first. The DesktopIP ecosystem begins initiatives in the private sector by creating technological products. He added, “The next step is to develop human resources by building core competencies. On top of that, there must be regulations that support institutions and core competencies as a form of government support.”
Digital sovereignty stack provides space for local tech to grow
Additionally, the digital sovereignty stack triangle introduced by Tresna includes five sequential elements from the bottom: Willingness, research and development, product (ownership), market share, and international benchmark. Tresna emphasized willingness as a fundamental element that involves all parties, including the state, government agencies, private sector, and public, in providing space for local technology products to grow and develop.
Once there is willingness, research and development play a crucial role in advancing technology. Product ownership then becomes a critical point for controlling both production and investment. After all, each product will lead to trade, aiming to dominate the market.
“After dominating the market, the ultimate step is to become an international benchmark by issuing certifications. Foreign companies do this, which is why they can become so powerful. Tech giants such as Amazon and VMware would not dominate the market if they did not become international benchmarks,” Tresna concluded.
