Implementation of 2018-2022 national strategy for protection of Switzerland against cyber-risks (NCS) on track
Bern, 19.10.2020 - During its meeting on 5 October 2020, the Federal Council Cyber Committee adopted the report on the progress made in implementing the national strategy for the protection of Switzerland against cyber-risks (NCS). The 2018-2022 NCS specifies the strategic goals for protecting against cyber-risks. Implementation is going to plan and is largely supported by players from the cantons, the business community, universities and the general public.
As the federal competence centre, the National Cybersecurity Centre (NCSC) is responsible for coordinated NCS implementation and regularly prepares a report on the state of implementation on behalf of the NCS Steering Committee. The report published today covers the current implementation status as of the first quarter of 2020. A third of the 247 milestones defined in the implementation plan have already been reached.
Progress made in promoting research and training
The implementation of most of the milestones is planned for the second half of the NCS 2018-2022 period and must be completed by the end of 2022. There are delays concerning 23 milestones. The competent bodies have explained the delays to the Steering Committee and plausibly demonstrated that they can be made up. Concrete progress has been made in various areas of action. For example, an important milestone in the promotion of research and training was reached with the opening of the Cyber Defence Campus (CYD Campus) at the two Federal Institutes of Technology, ETHZ and EPFL, as well as in Thun. Regarding prosecution, coordination in the area of combating cybercrime has been improved.
Support for SMEs and the general public
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are now an NCS target group too.
Accordingly, cyber-risk support for them is being established and expanded. For example, a guide for SMEs has been prepared together with representatives from the business community. Furthermore, the National Contact Point commenced operations in the NCSC on 1 January 2020. It receives cyberincident reports from the general public and businesses, analyses them and forwards them to the competent bodies. Those who submit reports are given recommendations on the action to be taken.
Since the adoption of the 2018-2022 NCS, the Federal Council has also decided on and implemented the Confederation's new organisation in the area of cyber-risks. The Ordinance on Protecting against Cyber-Risks in the Federal Administration, which has been in force since 1 July 2020, creates the legal basis and governs cooperation both within the Federal Administration and with the cantons, businesses and academia.
Address for enquiries
Max Klaus, National Cybersecurity Centre NCSC
Tel. 058 463 45 07, max.klaus@gs-efd.admin.ch
Publisher
Federal Department of Finance
https://www.efd.admin.ch/efd/en/home.html
