Sir, - Dirk Schrödter, digital minister for Schleswig-Holstein, recently argued that state sovereignty is no longer determined solely by military strength, but by the ability to “steer, control and further develop digital systems” and manage state data. (“A small German state’s quiet revolt against Microsoft – and what it means for Europe”, Europe, 14th February).
In Ireland, those calling for increased defence spending often equate safety with traditional hardware. They seem more preoccupied with the threat of Putin’s Russia than the digital vulnerabilities exposed by a volatile US under Trump. By focusing on boots on the ground rather than bits in the cloud, we are preparing for the wars of the past while ignoring the digital battlefield of the future.
Isn’t it time that we woke up and addressed our real defence vulnerabilities? Yours, etc,
SEAN KEAVNEY,
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Castleknock,
Dublin 15.
