Published on 31 January 2026

Cybersecurity

Digital technologies offer opportunities, but also harbour risks. Cyberspace is increasingly being misused for criminal purposes, power politics and intelligence gathering. Attacks on networks and infrastructure can destabilise countries. Switzerland promotes security and stability in cyberspace in line with its Arms Control and Disarmament Strategy and protects itself against cyber risks by implementing the National Cyberstrategy.

Cybersecurity concerns all aspects of security in information and communications technology. This includes all information technology associated with the internet and comparable networks, and incorporates communication, applications, processes and information processed on this basis.

Switzerland is committed to ensuring that an open, free and secure digital space is maintained and protected through international cooperation between state and non-state actors in the area of cybersecurity. This can also reduce the risk of cyberattacks between states. Through International Geneva, Switzerland has an

important location for digitalisation and technology debates. It pursues a multi-stakeholder approach that also involves actors from the private sector and academia in the discussions.

Arms Control and Disarmament Strategy

With its Arms Control and Disarmament Strategy, Switzerland identifies cyberspace as an important new theatre of confrontation. Not just in times of armed conflict, but also in times of peace, a broad spectrum of operations aimed at exerting influence and power are being carried out. They include espionage, political pressure, influencing elections by exerting financial and economic pressure and damaging social cohesion with measures ranging from conducting disinformation campaigns to paralysing critical infrastructure.

The strategy formulates the following objectives that Switzerland is pursuing in order to promote international cooperation to strengthen open, secure and peaceful cyberspace:

  • Recognition, respect for and enforcement of international law, in particular international humanitarian law and human rights, in cyberspace.
  • Promotion of the implementation of existing voluntary standards for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace and, where appropriate, their further development.
  • Further development of confidence-building measures.

Arms Control and Disarmament Strategy 2022–2025

Digital Foreign Policy Strategy

Cybersecurity is an important theme addressed by foreign policy. The Digital Foreign Policy Strategy defines cybersecurity as one of Switzerland's four fields of action in the digital space.

Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23

National Cyberstrategy

Switzerland's foreign and security policy interests must also be safeguarded in cyberspace. Switzerland is therefore committed to strengthening international cooperation to minimise cyber risks at both the diplomatic and technical/operational levels, as well as in the area of education and training.

NCS implementation plan

First implementation report on the National Cyberstrategy (NCS)

National Critical Infrastructure Protection Strategy

In 2023, Switzerland updated its National Critical Infrastructure Protection Strategy. It also takes into account risks from cyberspace, such as the possibility of paralysing critical infrastructure such as a country's electricity and water supply or telecommunications via digital networks. It aims to create sufficient capabilities to analyse threats and support operators in managing incidents.

National strategy for the protection of critical infrastructure (fr)

Documents