After the Federal Council took the first cautious steps towards opening up in March, the FOPH is also adapting its information campaign and asks the population to remain cautious. With the cautious, gradual opening, the Federal Council wants to give more space to social and economic life again, according to a statement by the FOPH. However, the epidemiological situation remains fragile, the FOPH said. It is therefore still necessary to remain cautious. The population is asked to continue to follow the most important behavioral and hygiene rules, so as not to put the "favorable starting position" at risk.

In the course of this, the proven information campaign was adapted. It is still important to wash your hands thoroughly, keep your distance, wear a mask in public and limit contact. This is the only way to overcome the crisis together. The campaign is active as of now and will be continuously adapted and strengthened after further measures have been decided.

Source: BAG 

On behalf of the Federal Office for the Equality of Persons with Disabilities (EBGB), the Center for Disability and Integration at the University of St. Gallen Together with three Swiss companies (Swiss Post, Novartis and ABB), the research cooperation "Inclusion Champions Switzerland" on the topic of equality and work will be launched at the end of 2020. launched.

The aim of the three-year project is to promote an inclusive working environment in order to make better use of the strengths of all employees. Various measures are being developed and explored with the network. An inclusion barometer that has now been developed will allow employers to obtain at a cost price.

The following is used for the recommendations for action according to the Department of the Interior the so-called 3I model (inform, involve, include). The recommendations for action include aspects such as job crafting, career counseling and awareness-raising measures. The aim is to develop scientifically based recommendations to promote a meaningful inclusive work environment in the long term.

Sources:
HSG Focus 3/2020: "Diversity" - Actively managing diversity and inclusion
More on the current state of science

For many companies and organizations, the probability of falling victim to a cyber attack at any time is high. Blackberry cites one example: In 2020, for example, an IT failure was triggered at the university hospital in Düsseldorf, as a result of which a patient had to be taken to another hospital and died.

The fact that recently more educational institutions and health care organizations have also been targeted by cybercriminalsis not a new insight. But what to do when a company gets wind of a cyberattack? Blackberry lists four tips on the right course of action in such a situation.

Do not pay ransom

Ransomware attacks continue to increase, and the cybercriminals' tactics are in demand because many businesses are pressured to pay ransoms in an absolute emergency. But whether the cybercriminals will then actually release the encrypted data is always the other question. Blackberry also mentions that paying a ransom is not very smart, because the cyber crooks know what they want in any case and continue to use the tactic.

Check all system levels

On average, cyberattacks within an organization go unnoticed for about the first 124 hours: enough time for the attackers to reconnoiter the entire system landscape. IT experts would therefore have to monitor more regularly and thus detect earlier if, for example, any anomalies occur in the data traffic.

Investing in the cyber know-how of employees

All employees should know the correct procedures to follow in the event of a cyber attack as part of awareness training, so that employees also recognize how to handle certain mail attachments, for example. Awareness of vulnerabilities or dangerous content should not lie primarily with a company's cyber officers.

Centralize multiple data feeds in one system

For rapid transparency in the event of deviations in data traffic, regular analyses must take place on data feeds. This will make it much easier to find and locate the deviations, especially if the data is stored in a system. Therefore, it makes sense to use statistical analysis to identify abnormal behavior.

Source: Blackberry

The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) informed the cantons yesterday about the conditions under which company canteens may reopen during the week. The requirements include, in particular, that restaurants may open as company canteens during the week between 11 am and 2 pm. Only professionals from the agricultural and construction sectors as well as tradespeople and employees on assembly work are allowed access. Employers must register their employees in advance and masks are compulsory in the restaurants, except at the table. The social distancing rules must be observed and the contact details of all persons must be recorded.

At the beginning of February, the National Council's Economic Affairs Committee (WAK) called on the Federal Council to open restaurants as canteens for people working outside at lunchtime. Cantons that wish to allow company canteens for employees working outside can regulate this by issuing a general decree to the catering businesses.

Source: BAG

The Association of Swiss Security Services Companies (VSSU) has published a handbook on "Contracting for Private Security Services". published. The handbook is based on the European Association of Security Services and UNI-Europa. Divided into five chapters, the work, which has been adapted to Swiss conditions, is a valuable aid for choosing a reputable service provider in the security services sector, the VSSU writes.

After an introduction and compilation of the services offered by private security companies, chapter 3 deals, among other things, with the criteria that can be used to measure the quality of a private security company. Chapter 4 deals with the formal aspects of tendering. It is important to define clear suitability and award criteria. A table with corresponding recommendations provides guidance for contracting authorities in launching a high-quality invitation to tender.

Chapter 5 contains recommendations for the decision-making process. This part enables contracting authorities to formulate their requirements and check the quality of bids on the basis of various criteria. The individual quality criteria can be weighted with a score. The VSSU advises that the price criterion be weighted at a maximum of 30 percent. This is because the main emphasis when selecting a security services company should be based primarily on the qualitative aspects.

Link: www.vssu.org/de/manuels

Source: VSSU

The Federal Council is easing cautiously. Because of the new, more contagious virus variants, the situation remains fragile. The first opening step from March 1 essentially involves activities in which mask and distance can be guaranteed. Now all stores can reopen, but the number of customers will be limited. Museums and reading rooms of archives and libraries can also reopen.

The outdoor areas of zoos, botanical gardens and recreational facilities are accessible again, but with mask, distance as well as limited capacity. Also accessible again are outdoor sports facilities such as artificial ice rinks, tennis courts, soccer fields and athletics stadiums. Outdoor crowds and gatherings of family and friends are permitted with a maximum of 15 people. For young people up to 20 years of age, competitions in all sports and concerts without an audience are again permitted. The Federal Council, however, refrains from opening restaurant terraces in view of the fragile epidemiological situation.

If the epidemic situation develops positively in the coming weeks, the Federal Council also plans to consider opening indoor areas of restaurants and other indoor activities, as well as face-to-face classes at universities, for March 22, according to a news release.

Source: the Federal Council

In November, the building complex "The Circle" was inaugurated at Zurich Airport. According to a Siemens press release, a total of more than 30,000 building and energy technology products were installed. All components for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are used to control the indoor climate.

Siemens writes that the systems have a modular design for the purpose of expandability and changeability. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems are controlled with countless valves, drives, sensors, air damper drives and frequency converters.

Siemens voice alarm systems provide security in public areas such as retail spaces, parking garages and , at the Hyatt Hotel and Zurich University Hospital. Each building has its own system that is networked with the others.

Coordinating the numerous players and the tight schedule was apparently the biggest challenge. "That's why we designed a unique logistics concept, with a warehouse at our Steinhausen site and a transport vehicle that travels only for The Circle," Felix von Rotz, Head of Building Products at Siemens Switzerland, is quoted as saying.

According to Siemens, the new building complex will also make sustainability the standard. The building is Minergie-certified and meets the "Leed Platinum" standard of the US Green Building Council.

Source: Siemens

Swissbau City

Swissbau, Switzerland's leading trade fair for the construction and real estate industry, which will be held in Basel from January 18 to 21, 2022, will be completely redesigned with a new trade fair concept, according to a statement from the trade fair organizers. The focus will be on new marketplaces that, together with Swissbau and Swissbau Innovation Lab, are intended to turn Swissbau 2022 into a "live experience." The "Swissbau City" concept is justified by a need for greater personal exchange, as the pandemic has since increased isolation.

New concept: Swissbau City

Switzerland's leading trade fair has always stood on a stable foundation, say the organizers. Swissbau is now to be presented in three formats: "Trade Fair", "Swissbau Focus" and "Swissbau Lab". In the new "Swissbau City" format, the stage for exhibitors will be redesigned with a new arrangement of aisles featuring thematically arranged "quarters." The center of the hall is also to offer a little more air for "informal togetherness".

In the respective theme halls there is now a central marketplace to exchange practical knowledge among each other. In a Speakers Corner in the marketplaces, exhibitors can present themselves in the context of Innovation Ptiches to show examples and solutions to a wider audience.

From the fall of 2020, additional interaction opportunities will be created on two online community platforms. In this way, Swissbau wants to ensure that it also brings the industries together again between the physical trade fairs.

www.swissbau.ch, www.swissbauinnovationlab.ch

Opening hours of Swissbau 2022

Swissbau will now take place over four days; from Tuesday, January 18 to Friday, January 21, 2022 in Basel. On Thursday, January 20, 2022, the trade fair will be open until 8 pm.

Source: Swissbau

In December knownThe hackers were able to penetrate the systems of various ministries, federal agencies, and even companies using manipulated network software. The way the hacker attack went down was spectacular and went unnoticed for nine months until the cybersecurity company Fireeye discovered the malware more or less by accident.

For example, in February 2020, an update was initially sent by the American company Solaris, but with a Trojan horse in it. The hackers were thus able to penetrate the systems of various ministries and federal agencies after first gaining access to the maintenance software of the company Solaris.

The case is a major setback for U.S. security agencies. Now Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke out on Sunday on the channel CBS News with the warning that sanctions will not be resorted to. The U.S. government apparently suspects Russian hackers. They will make sure Russia "understands" where the United States draws the line on this type of activity, Sullivan said. A more comprehensive set of measures is planned, he said.

Source: Heise

The Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH and Reha Rheinfelden are deepening their cooperation in the field of practice-oriented research and teaching. A first goal of the clinical cooperation is to test new technical devices and applications with neurologically affected patients. This will be done in the context of technical validation studies, clinical pilot and feasibility studies, and randomized trials. A second goal of the cooperation is to offer students of the BFH various clinic-related activities as part of their studies through joint project, bachelor, master and PhD theses.

Linking scientific research with practical issues is an important concern for the clinic, emphasizes Prof. Dr. med. Thierry Ettlin, Chief Physician and Medical Director of Reha Rheinfelden. In the past, for example, the two institutions collaborated on the "Cardio Robot" project to evaluate novel rehabilitation robotics technologies designed to improve physical performance and recovery after a stroke.

Source: BFH

The organizers Nürnbergmesse and Feuertrutz Network GmbH have decided to postpone the trade fair for preventive fire protection in order to offer customers a better prospect of an on-site event. A mix of online and on-site event will remain.

Two-track concept remains in place

A hybrid concept of online and on-site event was already planned for June in order to provide digital access to the Feuertrutz for all participants - including those who cannot be on site due to travel restrictions. A purely online event would theoretically have been possible in June according to the latest resolutions. However, in order to provide more planning security, the organizers have now decided to postpone Feuertrutz until October 2021.

The parallel fire protection congress, organized by Feuertrutz Network, will also be broadcast online in a livestream to complement the on-site congress.

"It will be two exciting days with numerous current topics and new solutions relating to preventive fire protection at first hand from experienced experts - on site and digitally," says André Gesellchen, Head of Fire Protection Program, Feuertrutz Network. One focus of the congress in 2021 will be "Solutions for special buildings".

Source: www.feuertrutz-messe.de

According to Malwarebytes, the spread of malware on Macs is on the decline again. The AV manufacturer recorded a total of 40 percent fewer malware than in the previous year. Overall, significantly less adware and malicious apps were detected among end customers. The proportion of classic malware is increasing again overall, but only represents 1.5 percent of all detections. The remaining 98 percent was mostly accounted for by unwanted software without a signature.

An interesting malware is called "ThiefQuest", which seems to spread mostly via free programs on torrent sites of cracked Mac software. The malware appears to be ransomware that encrypts files and displays a ransom message, but burrows deep into the operating system, trying to transfer as much user data as possible to a server.

Source: Malwarebytes