Objective: Leading role in international cooperation

Switzerland works at an operational and strategic level to promote an open, free and secure cyberspace as well as full recognition, observance and enforcement of international law in the digital space. International Geneva is used as a leading location for debates around cybersecurity. Switzerland can act as a mediator in disputes related to cyberoperations.

Cybersecurity is an important foreign policy issue. Cyberattacks are increasingly being used by state actors to project power and for political goals, intelligence projects and military purposes. In addition to the use of cybermeans in conventional armed conflicts, more and more conflicts are being waged in the digital space by state and non-state actors. Accordingly, international cooperation at both diplomatic and technical/operational levels and in the area of coordinated training is indispensable for reducing cyber-risks.

The protection of Switzerland's foreign and security policy interests must also be ensured in cyberspace. Switzerland therefore works at both the diplomatic and technical/operational levels, as well as in the area of coordinated training, to strengthen international cooperation to minimise cyber-risks.

Measures

M15: Strengthening of digital International Geneva

Description

The Federal Council has set itself the goal of positioning Switzerland, and in particular International Geneva, as a leading location for debates on digitalisation and technology. This means ensuring that Switzerland can offer the international organisations and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) based here the best possible conditions.

Since many of these organisations are politically exposed, they are frequently the target of cyberattacks. Switzerland must therefore examine how it can improve the conditions for these organisations to protect themselves against cyberthreats.

Background and need for action

International Geneva organisations are increasingly confronted with threats in the digital space. If Switzerland wants to remain an attractive location for international organisations and NGOs, it must examine how good conditions can be created for these organisations in the digital space as well. Furthermore, international organisations and NGOs based in Switzerland should be assisted with prevention. The Confederation is providing expertise to help set up an Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC) for such organisations. In doing so, it is contributing to and participating in the mutual exchange of experience between these organisations.

Priorities

Establishment of an ISAC for International Geneva:
The sharing of information and experience between international organisations will be fostered through the establishment of an ISAC.
Attractive conditions for digital services for international organisations and NGOs will be examined and created.

Key actors

Confederation:
FDFA, FIS, GS DDPS NCSC, OFCOM
Business community/society:
international organisations, NGOs

M16: International rules in cyberspace

Description

Switzerland is actively committed to an open, free and secure internet. It promotes the full recognition, observance and enforcement of international law in the digital space and clarifies the practical application of existing rules in partnership with other countries. It also contributes to creating conditions that facilitate the international fight against cybercrime. Switzerland pursues these goals in international organisations such as the UN, OSCE and OECD, in international expert bodies and at bilateral level.

Background and need for action

Since 2004, the international community has been negotiating the application of international law in cyberspace within UN working groups. Switzerland has been involved in these discussions from the outset and works with like-minded countries to promote an open, free and secure internet and the full recognition, observance and enforcement of international law. In this connection, it advocates an inclusive multi-stakeholder approach.

On a more practical level, the challenges of combating cybercrime have increased. There is a need for better international cooperation between prosecution authorities in this area. Cloud computing is emerging as a particular challenge, with data increasingly being processed on foreign territory by companies from third countries. Switzerland wants to use bilateral agreements to create more legal certainty on this issue.

Priorities

Active participation in UN processes:
Switzerland will take part in the relevant processes, in particular the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) and the negotiations on a UN cybercrime convention.
Active Swiss involvement in the further development and implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention).
Active participation in the implementation of the OSCE's confidence-building measures.
Switzerland will conduct bilateral talks to address intergovernmental issues and concerns and will conclude agreements with strategically important partners.

Key actors

Confederation:
FDFA, Armed Forces, FOCA, FOJ, FOT, GS DDPS, NCSC, OFCOM, SFOE

M17: Bilateral cooperation with strategic partners and international competence centres

Description

Switzerland is taking steps to strengthen, coordinate and strategically expand operational cooperation with international partners. In view of the international dimension of cybersecurity, targeted cooperation with international partners, competence centres and leading specialist organisations is crucial for the successful implementation of all measures to protect against cyberthreats.

Background and need for action

When it comes to the global internet, Switzerland is reliant on cooperation with other countries. Experience has shown that such activities are only sustainable if they are broad-based and underpinned by common interests. For certain activities, Switzerland maintains bilateral relations with strategic partners.

International cooperation is particularly important for law enforcement. Without mutual assistance between states, globally active perpetrators cannot be effectively prosecuted. Switzerland therefore liaises on these issues at an operational and strategic level in the relevant expert bodies, but also directly with other countries.

In addition to governmental cooperation, collaboration with private international initiatives and technical competence centres on cybersecurity is very important. Such cooperation involving a high level of trust can make a significant contribution to better understanding the relevant threat situation and its development, and to more effectively protecting society, businesses and the Federal Administration This requires long-term cooperation at the highest level of trust and strategic development and expansion of the international networks of relationships between relevant actors in Switzerland.

Priorities

Existing cyberdialogues with partner countries will be continued and efforts made to establish such dialogues with other countries.
In consultation with partner countries, Switzerland will examine how the framework for cybercrime prosecution can be improved through bilateral international treaties.
Switzerland will work with foreign partners in the context of operational programmes such as the Counter Ransomware Initiative.
Efforts will be made to secure bilateral agreements for the provision of mutual assistance in combating cybercrime.
If the opportunity arises, cooperation with the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC) will be sought.
Active participation in relevant organisations that enable and promote this technical/operational cooperation, such as FIRST, TF-CSIRT and NatCSIRT (national CERTs).
Expansion of cooperation in international working groups on technical issues (e.g. OT security, phishing).

Key actors

Confederation:
FDFA, fedpol, FIS, FOCA, FOT, GS DDPS, NCSC, OFCOM, SFOE
Business community/society:
professional associations, CERTs, security service providers