Rabobank IT chief on digital sovereignty: 'No European parties can yet match our scale'

Alexander Zwart, Rabobank's head of IT and innovation, is a vocal participant in Europe's digital sovereignty discussions. He believes European banks, as major IT service consumers, have a role in shaping the IT landscape by supporting emerging European tech firms.

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We can no longer afford more polarization in the world.

Zwart advocates for a balanced approach, emphasizing continuity and resilience over ideology. While acknowledging the vulnerability of essential payment systems and the need to reduce dependence on a few non-European companies, he cautions against outright rejection of foreign technology. He highlights the growing threat of AI-powered cyberattacks, which necessitates robust security measures that currently rely on major American tech firms like Amazon and Microsoft.

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It is about continuity and resilience, not ideology and countries.

Rabobank, dealing with sensitive customer data and critical payment infrastructure, cannot compromise on security. Zwart explains their 'onion model' of security, requiring multiple layers of defense, an area where American companies excel. He stresses that European demand needs to be stimulated to foster the growth of domestic IT companies.

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We must therefore not only think about a foreign government that could press a red button. But also about cybersecurity.

Through testing and investment in European firms, Rabobank aims to contribute to developing local IT capabilities. Zwart hopes that within five to ten years, European companies will reach a scale sufficient to serve large clients like banks and governments, a current gap he observes.

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Because AI is now used to discover vulnerabilities in security, the bar is also being raised further.