Swiss Cyber Risk Research Conference, 20 May 2016 at EPF Lausanne
Bern, 12.05.2016 - Following the Federal Council’s decision in 2013 to adopt a ‘national strategy for Switzerland’s protection against cyber risks’, SERI has been given the task of coordinating the implementation of the first of sixteen measures aimed at protecting the country in the medium and long term against these new risks. A key requirement of this first measure is to conduct research.
In order to fulfil the task, an interdepartmental steering committee made up of specialists and chaired by SERI was set up and proposed that a conference devoted to presenting the research topics in this field would be the best way of:
- bringing together researchers, teachers, students and other partners with an interest in cyber risk protection, thus establishing a genuine research community in Switzerland in this field;
- fostering communication and thus creating synergies between the various partners involved in higher education, at the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), the Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) and in the private sector;
- presenting the current status of global research in the field at the highest level;
- providing policymakers with an overview of the various cyber threats and enabling them to understand how to counter them.
The organisers of the event on 20 May are fortunate to be able to count on the participation of leading researchers, teachers and members of the business community, who will share their valuable experience in the field.
Foremost among the sixteen speakers who have agreed to take part are:
- Ralph Langner, the well-known German security expert, who analysed and identified ‘Stuxnet’, the computer worm that blocked the Iranian centrifuges used to enrich uranium;
- Virgil Dorin Gligor, professor at Carnegie Mellon University, renowned for his research into IT security and recipient of an award from the National Security Agency (NSA) for his work in 2006;
- Nicolas Gisin, professor of physics at the University of Geneva, who has developed a highly original method of quantum cryptography and who has been selected by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Technology Review as the inventor of one of the ten best technologies that will change the world;
- André Kudelski, president and CEO of the Kudelski Group, a company that plays a major global role in the cybersecurity field.
The newly appointed president of the EPFL, Professor Martin Vetterli, who is currently president of the SNSF and a leading specialist in communication systems, will also attend.
Lastly, Professor Claude Nicollier, the well-known Swiss astronaut, will round off the event with tales of his fascinating adventures in space.
A few places are still available at the conference, which will be held exclusively in English.
Press briefing
A press briefing with the speakers (primarily in English) will be organised for journalists between 12:30 and 13:15. (Details of the exact location of the briefing will be provided at the entrance to the SwissTech Convention Center).
Address for enquiries
Blaise Roulet
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI
The State Secretary for Education and Research’s Delegate for protection against cyber risks
blaise.roulet@sbfi.admin.ch
Publisher
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation
http://www.sbfi.admin.ch
