Following the recent failure of the electronic system “Reserve+”, which became inaccessible due to technical glitches, the issue of the reliability of complete digitalization has come to the forefront once again. Users faced a situation where the system required an update that did not exist, and after it finally appeared, it still did not work. This situation highlights not only a specific technical problem but also points to a deeper systemic issue.
This is reported by Finway
Drawbacks of Completely Abandoning Paper Document Flow
Many countries, including Germany, retain a significant portion of important documents in paper form. This is due to the fact that electronic registries can be subjected to cyberattacks, can disappear due to technical failures, or can fall victim to simple software errors. Paper documents, on the other hand, remain independent of digital threats and are inaccessible to hackers or viruses.
Relying solely on complete digitalization would be justified if digital solutions were viewed as duplicates—a convenient addition to traditional paper documents that enhances comfort and speed of service. However, if the foundation of state documentation exists solely in the “clouds”, any technical incident could lead to the irreversible loss of millions of data.
Digital Services Should Only Reflect the Foundation
The state must ensure not only the convenience of its services but also their reliability. If digital systems fail, there should remain a robust foundation of traditional document flow that guarantees data preservation even in the most critical situations. For citizens, the loss of digital data can become a personal disaster, while for the state, it can lead to a large-scale collapse.
“A beautiful presentation is great for an exhibition. But for the survival of a country, a duplicate is needed. Reliable, paper, eternal.”
The dependence of statehood on the operation of servers or the availability of mobile internet is a risk that cannot be ignored. Therefore, the parallel preservation of paper documents remains strategically important for the stability and security of the country.