Kiteworks Launches Open Source Program Office to Guide ownCloud and Strengthen Digital Sovereignty Initiatives
Publish Date: 2026-05-10 03:15:00
Source Domain: www.cybersecurity-insiders.com
Kiteworks, a provider of secure private data exchange solutions that help organizations manage risk across every send, share, receive, and use of sensitive information, has announced the creation of the Kiteworks Open Source Program Office (OSPO). The company also named David Walter as Vice President of the Open Source Program Office. The newly established OSPO will oversee Kiteworks’ open-source strategy and serve as the organizational steward for ownCloud, the longstanding open-source platform for self-hosted file synchronization, sharing, and collaboration.
Since its launch in 2010, ownCloud has enabled a broad range of users—including individuals, educational institutions, research organizations, and sovereign governments—to retain control over their data, infrastructure, and digital autonomy. Built using open technologies such as Open Cloud Mesh, WebDAV, and OpenID Connect, and architected for federated collaboration across organizational boundaries, ownCloud continues to prioritize user ownership and interoperability.
The announcement comes amid growing enterprise demand for digital sovereignty and open-source cybersecurity solutions. Recent research indicates that 92% of IT managers across EMEA now view enterprise open-source software as essential for achieving digital sovereignty goals. Germany’s 2026 federal budget includes €250 million earmarked for open-source development initiatives. At the same time, third-party involvement in data breaches has risen significantly, accounting for 30% of incidents year over year. The enterprise file synchronization and sharing market is estimated at USD 14.0 billion in 2025, while the open-source file server segment is projected to grow at an 11.9% CAGR, reaching USD 6.24 billion by 2030.
“Open source is in ownCloud’s DNA, and through ownCloud it has become part of Kiteworks’ DNA,” said David Walter, Vice President of the Kiteworks Open Source Program Office. “We are not…
