Digital transformation poses unique challenges for organizations with high security requirements. In the defense sector in particular, control over sensitive data and systems is of paramount importance. Against this backdrop, our client, the Austrian Armed Forces (ÖBH), began addressing the question of how to ensure digital sovereignty in the long term at an early stage.
In 2020, it became clear that an increasing number of services were being migrated to cloud environments. This posed a significant risk to Directorate 6 (ICT and Cyber) of the Austrian Armed Forces (ÖBH), as dependencies on external providers and the potential loss of control over confidential data conflicted with the organization’s own security requirements.
Strategic Realignment: Independence Instead of Vendor Lock-in
The Austrian Armed Forces (ÖBH) therefore made a conscious decision to change its strategic course. The goal was to establish a sustainable alternative that meets the highest security standards and enables a high degree of control over its own IT infrastructure. In this context, digital sovereignty means, above all, being able to make independent and assertive decisions regarding systems, data, and processes at any time—regardless of external market or vendor developments.
Drawing on our experience in regulatory compliance and digital transformation, CIB identified Collabora Productivity as a certified partner—a company with extensive experience and recognized worldwide for its leadership role in the development of LibreOffice.
As the lead contractor, CIB was responsible for the central organisational management of the project. It coordinated the extensions, consolidated the requirements, facilitated the delivery of results and acted as the organisational point of contact. The technical implementation was carried out almost entirely by Collabora Productivity, as a certified specialist partner. CIB also ensured the structured handover of tasks, reliable project coordination and the involvement of suitable partners to ensure professional implementation.
An On-Premises Strategy with a Lasting Impact
Over a period of five years, more than 16,000 Microsoft Office users were migrated to an open-source office suite based on LibreOffice. A key factor in this success was the systematic on-premises deployment strategy: data processing took place within the client’s secure IT environment.
In addition, existing software was not only implemented but also actively further developed. In collaboration with teams of experts, targeted improvements were implemented in LibreOffice, including optimizations to document compatibility and new features.
Compliance Meets Innovation
This project demonstrates how compliance requirements, technological innovation, and strategic independence can be successfully combined. Through a combination of sound consulting, careful partner selection, and sustainable implementation, we were able not only to support our client with its technical migration but also to contribute to strengthening its digital sovereignty.
Consulting Services
Digital sovereignty is not an abstract goal, but a strategic necessity—especially for organizations subject to the highest security and compliance requirements.
The key is a well-thought-out, comprehensive strategy that combines technology, compliance, and long-term independence. This is exactly where CIB comes in, offering comprehensive consulting and future-proof solutions.
Let our team advise you and learn how your organization can achieve digital sovereignty in a sustainable way. Contact us!
