Max Buchan on Venture Daily: The Sovereign Control Imperative

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Last week’s breach of the US National Nuclear Security Administration, through a Microsoft SharePoint exploit, wasn’t just another incident. It was proof that even our most sensitive systems rely on infrastructure we don’t control.

The compromise, attributed to Chinese state-sponsored actors, revealed a structural flaw in how digital systems are built. In a recent Venture Daily episode, our CEO Max Buchan breaks it down. Starting at the 7:30 mark, the conversation turns to a central issue for any organisation handling sensitive data: regaining control at the infrastructure level.

"Recent breaches are wake-up calls," Max emphasised in the interview. "They illustrate just how vulnerable our data and security systems are when built on platforms maintained by others."

Max goes beyond the immediate technical vulnerabilities. He argues that both national agencies and private enterprises need to fundamentally rethink their approach to infrastructure. Rather than relying on centralised, third-party platforms, organisations must implement compartmentalised systems that they control entirely.

The Sovereign Control Imperative

This isn’t about isolation. It’s about resilience. Sovereign control means eliminating blind dependencies. Every permission, every action, every surface must be sealed, logged, and compartmentalised.

Max’s argument goes beyond any single incident. Sovereign architecture is a strategic stance. It is the only way national agencies and private firms can contain risk and stop breaches before they spread.

What This Means for Organisations

This wasn’t an isolated failure. It was predictable. Financial institutions, legal teams, infrastructure operators—they all rely on systems they cannot audit and do not own.

The next step is clear:
    •    Replace centralised systems with compartmentalised infrastructure
    •    Take direct control over sensitive data and communications
    •    Deploy sovereign platforms with full visibility and fallback options

Looking Forward

The AI race is accelerating. So are geopolitical tensions. Sovereign infrastructure isn’t just a defence mechanism. It’s a strategic advantage.

By developing capabilities that rival global incumbents, the UK and Europe can build infrastructure that serves their interests without compromise. British cybersecurity innovation should begin with architecture, not alerts.

Click here to watch Max join Venture Daily at the 7:30 mark. The segment covers AI posture, global competition, and the structural case for sovereignty.

Valarian is already building for this future. Our ACRA platform enforces compartmentalisation at the system level. It supports secure privileged communications, regulatory capture of external messaging apps, and sovereign infrastructure deployments across government and enterprise.