Germany needs a digital ministry, calls Microsoft Germany boss Marianne Janik in the ntv podcast “So techt Germany”. It is a “synonym for change management”. Switzerland could serve as a model for this.
Video conferences, streaming or sending e-mails – all of this requires a lot of energy and thus causes CO2. For the Microsoft Germany boss Marianne Janik, the CO2 footprint on the Internet is an important topic. Before the climate summit in Glasgow, she honestly admits that she rarely thought of the carbon footprint when sending an email. “But since Glasgow and an intensive immersion, which brought us this conference, that happens now,” says Janik in the ntv podcast “So techt Germany”. She was not there herself in Glasgow, but “we were very close and looked very closely”. Their realization: “The message has now reached everyone that something has to be done,” says Janik. IT can help even if it is not yet “green” itself.
For Janik it is important that the new government install a digital ministry. Even if the topic should play an important role in every department, the digital ministry is a “synonym for change management”, explains Janik. There should be experts who are also responsible for the process issues. As a former Swiss Microsoft boss, she also has a good comparison. The structures with the many cantons are even more complicated and difficult than in Germany. “But Switzerland knows where it stands in comparison to the outside world,” explains Janik. The Swiss are quicker to find compromises and are more pragmatic. Germany is very big and allows “a little navel gazing”. It would do us good to look at Germany from the outside more often. “That would help us to be more pragmatic and see technology as technology and not turn it into politics.”
“Cyber security should concern every board member”
“The implementation must be a” top priority “, that is no different in companies. That cannot be delegated. The federal government has initiated enough projects. Implementing these now has to be taken care of, the Microsoft manager demands.
The Microsoft Germany boss reacts almost emotionally to the subject of cybercrime. As a lawyer, she knows exactly what problems cyber attacks pose for companies: “These are traumatic experiences for companies,” warns Janik. Microsoft sees the attacks and also share the findings. There is no problem of knowledge, but “different rules of conduct and protection are needed”. The topic of cybersecurity should “really occupy every supervisory board”, warns Janik.
Marianne Janik explains in the ntv podcast “So techt Germany” why the USA is not necessarily a role model for Janik and why it still sees a chance for Germany when it comes to mobility.
In “So techt Germany” the ntv moderators Frauke Holzmeier and Andreas Laukat ask founders, investors, politicians and entrepreneurs how things are in Germany as a technology location. You can find all episodes in the ntv app at Audio Now, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Also at Amazon Music and Google Podcast you will find it.