The Swiss cybersecurity initiative seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of Switzerland’s cybersecurity research landscape at both academic and business levels. This initiative addresses critical gaps in knowledge by building on previous studies of university research and expanding to include startups, SMEs, and private research institutions. The HES-SO Valais-Wallis is leading the project with the support of the Cyber-Defence Campus (CYD Campus) and the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW).
Background
On September 14th, 2023, the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW) organized a joint networking event to strengthen the Swiss cybersecurity ecosystem through international cooperation. State Secretary Hirayama and subsequent speakers emphasized the crucial role of international cooperation in national cybersecurity research. This plays a central role in the national cyber security strategy, as it contributes significantly to adequate risk assessments and thus to Switzerland’s resilience to cyber dangers and threats.
However, international research cooperation in cybersecurity is impaired due to Switzerland’s third-country status in Horizon Europe (HEU) and the Digital Europe program (DEP). Participation in the newly founded European Cybersecurity Competence Center (ECCC) and its network is currently not possible in any form. Access, particularly in cybersecurity, will need to be negotiated.
The importance of a comprehensive overview and evaluation of the research landscape in the cybersecurity sector has also been recognized in Switzerland. Consequently, the SATW and the Cyber-Defence Campus have conducted a study covering 22 universities with strategic cybersecurity research. This study aims to identify gaps in current research and to identify areas in which Switzerland should strengthen its capacities, such as economic innovation and international comparison. The participants in the networking event agreed that an overview of the research activities of the Swiss start-up and SME scene is still missing and that there is, therefore, little awareness of the existing research capacities. A study analogous to the one for the university sector would be of great benefit to the Swiss research sector, among others. The existing university capacity study clearly shows critical gaps in uncertain standards, automation, and new technologies. Switzerland cannot close this alone but relies on international cooperation with the EU. In anticipation for future collaboration with the EU, it is imperative to proactively align with the European network and ensure comprehensive preparation, as well as to expand the research overview to encompass industry (start-ups, SMEs, and private research institutions). This comprehensive overview is also a component of the National Cyberstrategy (NCS, contributing to the achievement of Measure 4, “Analysis of trends, risks and dependencies”, of the Empowerment NCS objective.
Structure of the project
The project is structured into five interconnected work packages:
- Work Package 1: Data Collection and Analysis
Quantitative and qualitative data will be gathered from diverse sources, including patents, financial performance, publications, and expert interviews. Advanced data science methods, such as machine learning, network analysis, and natural language processing, will create a structured database mapping Switzerland’s cybersecurity ecosystem. - Work Package 2: Target-State Analysis
Expert interviews, focus groups, and scenario analyses will define Switzerland’s desired cybersecurity capabilities over a 5-10-year horizon, identifying areas where capabilities need to be developed or dependencies reduced. - Work Package 3: Platform Development
An interactive online platform will visually present the findings, allowing stakeholders to access up-to-date insights on research efforts, technological capabilities, and gaps. The platform will support long-term use and updates beyond the project’s duration. - Work Package 4: Delta Analysis and Recommendations
A comparative analysis of the current (“ACTUAL”) and desired future (“TARGET”) states will identify blind spots and actionable recommendations for policymakers, research funding organizations, and industry stakeholders. - Work Package 5: Dissemination and Networking
The project will organize annual networking events, develop communication materials (e.g., reports, articles, presentations), and promote collaboration between academia, SMEs, startups, and government agencies.
The project’s findings will guide strategic investments, policy development, and education initiatives to strengthen Switzerland’s position in the global cybersecurity landscape. The initiative aims to enhance the country’s resilience and innovation in a rapidly evolving field by fostering collaboration across sectors and providing a detailed understanding of Switzerland’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
Key actors and collaboration
The project involves three main partners, each contributing distinct roles:
- HES-SO Valais-Wallis is the contractual partner of SERI and oversees the overall coordination of the project.
- CYD Campus (armasuisse S+T) contributes tot he project without financial compensation, providing in-kind contribution from employees, project data, and office space in Thun and Lausanne.
- SATW acts as a subcontractor to HES-SO Valais-Wallis for Work Package 5 (WP5) and leads the Advisory Board. It is also responsible for dissemination activities.
Additionally, Softcom supports the development of the project platform.
Stakeholder
Prof. Dr. Dimitri Percia David
Project Manager, HES-SO Valais-Wallis
Prof. Dr. Andrei Kucharavy
Technical Project Manager Assistant, HES-SO Valais-Wallis
Dr. Loïc Maréchal
Scientific lead, HES-SO Valais-Wallis
Nicole Wettstein
Scientific lead, SATW
Dr. Alain Mermoud
Steering committee, CYD Campus
Valentin Mulder
Scientific lead, CYD Campus
Vladimir Pfister
Scientific Support, CYD Campus
Nicholas Greensmith
Software Engineer, Softcom
Samuel Gillieron
Software Engineer, Softcom
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board is a group of actors who are anchored in the topic area, can demonstrate relevant expertise, and can provide advice to the project team. The members of the Advisory Board are, among other things, part of the project’s main target group. Nicole Wettstein who has a broad network in the subject area, many years of experience, and has been significantly involved in developing the transitional measure, heads the Advisory Board from SATW.
Advisory board composition:
Umberto Annino
Lead Advisory Board Cybersecurity SATW; Cloud Solution Architect, Microsoft (Schweiz) GmbH
David Baschung
Lecturer at the Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETHZ
Dr. Maya Bundt
Multiple Board Member
Dr. Mathias Humbert
Associate Professor in Cybersecurity, UNIL
Prof. Dr. René Hüsler
Director Department of Information Technology, HSLU
Martin Leuthold
Head of Data, Security & Network, Switch
Dr. Alain Mermoud
Head of Technology Monitoring, CYD-Campus armasuisse
Dr. Patrick Schaller
Senior Scientist ETHZ, Lead Swiss Support Center for Cybersecurity (SSCC)
Dr. Manuel Suter
Deputy Director, BACS