Cyber battalion is a done deal
To strengthen cyber defense, the Swiss Armed Forces will be allowed to form its own battalion from January 2022, which will be focused on defending against attacks on critical infrastructure. This was decided by the Federal Council at a meeting last Wednesday.
In order to better meet the complex challenges in the cyber domain, the Armed Forces will be allowed to establish its own "cyber battalion" from January 2022. This will form an important part of the future Cyber Command. This has now been decided by the Federal Council in a meeting on January 24, 2021. The corresponding amendment to the Ordinance on Armed Forces Structures will come into force on January 1, 2022.
The own command from the field of cyber should consist of graduates of a computer science apprenticeship or prospective computer science students. During their RS, the trainees will have the opportunity to complete a 40-week cyber course. Together with cyber specialists of the army, these army members will be assigned to this cyber battalion in the future. However, the number of army personnel is not to change as a result, according to a statement by the federal government.
The transformation is to take place within the framework of a project organization and gradually build up the capabilities for the new tasks (SecurityForum reported). As project manager for the command base support, the Federal Council has appointed the division officer Alain Vuitel.
Source: the Federal Council
