Just twenty years ago, the concept of “national security” was associated mainly with borders, armed forces, aircraft, and tanks. Today, an equally crucial element is digital resilience — the protection of data and IT systems that the functioning of society depends on. In a world where data has become the new currency, its loss or misuse can paralyze a country just as effectively as a military attack.
Data as an instrument of power
Modern conflicts no longer play out solely on battlefields. Increasingly, the arena is cyberspace.
Ransomware attacks paralyze hospitals, rail systems, and energy networks. Cybercriminals demand ransom in cryptocurrencies, and nation-states engage in large-scale disinformation operations.
There is no shortage of examples:
- In Germany, a cyberattack crippled a hospital, forcing it to cancel surgeries.
- In the US, the WannaCry virus shut down thousands of computers in public institutions and private companies.
- In Estonia, the 2007 DDoS attacks paralyzed government services, banks, and media — a case often considered the first “cyberwar” in history.
Data is no longer just a digital record — it is an instrument of influence.
Whoever controls data controls citizen decisions, economic processes, and political direction.
Poland — between modern capabilities and outdated habits
Poland has modern data centers that meet the highest European standards (e.g., EN 50600 Class 4 certification at Talex). We have specialists supporting banks, global corporations, and public institutions.
And yet, a large percentage of data is still kept in basement server rooms — in ministries, government buildings, and private companies. These rooms often lack even the most basic security standards: no redundant power, no fire suppression, no proper access control. A power outage or heavy rainfall is enough to cripple an entire institution.
On the other hand, many organizations rely on global cloud providers — usually American. While convenient and initially affordable, they carry a major risk: Polish citizens’ data formally falls under foreign jurisdiction (Cloud Act, Patriot Act), meaning the state loses full control over one of its key strategic resources.
Lessons from other countries
Europe recognized this threat earlier than Poland.
France — introduced mandatory storage of citizens’ medical data exclusively in French data centers managed by French companies.
Germany — supports the Gaia-X initiative, aiming to create a European alternative to American and Chinese cloud giants.
European Union — its digital strategy increasingly emphasizes data sovereignty and unified cybersecurity standards.
All these actions share one goal: building digital independence, which is just as vital as military or energy independence.
Data as critical infrastructure
Pipelines, power plants, rail networks — we readily categorize these as critical infrastructure.
Yet data is still treated as something “technical,” secondary.
But no modern system can function without it.
Imagine this scenario:
- banks lose access to transaction systems,
- hospitals lose access to medical records,
- public administration shuts down because population databases go offline.
This would lead to an immediate, total paralysis of the state.
That’s why data must be treated like electricity or water — a strategic resource essential to national security.
Why local data centers are essential
Professional data centers in Poland, such as Talex, prove that world-class security is possible here. Over 5,700 days of uninterrupted operation, full systems redundancy, and 24/7 support from experienced engineers — these are standards comparable to those of the world’s largest corporations.
What’s more, using local providers ensures that data stays in Poland, is subject to Polish law, and is supported by people you can reach directly in a crisis. A global cloud provider can never guarantee this.
Shared responsibility — government and business
Building digital security requires both sides to act.
The state should introduce regulations requiring that critical data be stored in certified domestic data centers.
Business, in turn, must invest in education and awareness among decision-makers, many of whom still view IT security as a cost rather than an investment.
There is also a need for joint initiatives, such as Polska Chmura — a project uniting local operators to create a secure and independent ecosystem of services.
Data security is not a luxury — it is the foundation of a modern state
Just as we invest in the military, energy infrastructure, or transportation, we must invest in digital resilience.
Because the wars of the future are already being fought — not only at borders, but online.
And the stakes are our data.
If Poland wants real security, it must treat data as a strategic asset and a cornerstone of national independence.
