The SwissCyber Initiative will strengthen Switzerland's digital resilience

In autumn 2023, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW) organised a networking event to promote international cooperation in the area of cybersecurity. There it became clear that international research cooperation is a key factor in implementing Switzerland's national cybersecurity strategy.

Currently, researchers and innovators in Switzerland are excluded from cybersecurity-related calls for proposals under the Digital Europe Programme (DEP) and the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC). The ECCC has already carried out a comprehensive survey of the research landscape in EU member states and, in order to make targeted use of future collaboration opportunities, it makes sense for Switzerland to also systematically map out its own research activities. Against this backdrop, the SwissCyber Initiative was launched, running from January 2025 to December 2026.

Expanding its research base

The SwissCyber Initiative builds on a study conducted by SATW and the Cyber-Defence Campus (CYD Campus) in 2023, which examined strategic cybersecurity research at 22 universities. The initiative deliberately extends this scope to include start-ups, SMEs, and private research institutions. This closes an existing gap and highlights the potential of these actors more effectively.

The initiative also takes into account diverse stakeholder perspectives and international developments to form a holistic picture of Switzerland’s cybersecurity ecosystem, thereby making a tangible contribution to implementing the National Cyberstrategy (NCS).

Structure comprised of five work packages

The initiative is led by HES-SO Valais-Wallis, with support from the CYD Campus and SATW. It is divided into five work packages:

1. Data collection and analysis
   Collection and analysis of data (patents, publications, finances, interviews) using AI-supported methods such as machine learning and network analysis.
2. Target state analysis
   Determination of Switzerland's desired cybersecurity capabilities over the next five to ten years through expert interviews, focus groups and scenario analyses.
3. Platform development
   Development of an interactive online platform to visualise the results and facilitate long-term use by stakeholders.
4. Delta analysis and recommendations
   Comparison of the current and target states to identify weaknesses and derive concrete policy recommendations for policymakers, researchers and industry.
5. Dissemination and networking
   Organisation of networking events, preparation of documentation and promotion of cooperation between science, industry and government.

Strategic importance for Switzerland

The SwissCyber Initiative brings clarity to Switzerland's cybersecurity ecosystem and paves the way for synergies between research, industry and policymaking. Its findings serve as a strategic foundation for investments, policy decisions and the further development of education and research initiatives. This helps to boost Switzerland's innovative strength and resilience in the dynamic field of cybersecurity and enables new challenges to be identified at an early stage and addressed in a targeted manner.