One year of Cyber Command: a reliable partner in digitalization and defence against cyber threats to the armed forces
Cyber Command has been protecting the Swiss Armed Forces in the digital space since January 1, 2024. In its first year of operational activity, Cyber Command has established itself as a central pillar in the defence against cyber threats, the digitalization of the Armed Forces and international cooperation. The Cyber Command strengthens the Armed Forces' defense capability in the cyber and electromagnetic space with daily services for the benefit of the Armed Forces' cyber security, innovative projects and the recruitment of specialists.
Cyber and Electromagnetic Space (CER) is the responsibility of the Cyber Command and focuses on mission-critical information and communication technology (ICT) services for the benefit of the Armed Forces and its partners in the Swiss Security Network. With the establishment of the New Digitalization Platform (NDP), which will provide initial services for the benefit of its users from 01.07.2026, the Cyber Command is laying the foundation for the digital transformation of the Armed Forces. Cyber Command 2024 has already established itself as a reliable partner in everyday operations and exercises.
Successful deployments and progress in projects
In the first few months, the Cyber Command was already involved in major army missions, including supporting the canton of Graubünden in protecting the World Economic Forum (WEF) conference in January 2024 and the Ukraine peace conference in June 2024. As part of these missions, the Cyber Command monitored and protected the army's mission-critical ICT from cyberattacks and worked with militia members to ensure secure connections.
Important progress has also been made in the digitalization of the armed forces: The development of the NDP is the central prerequisite for the digital transformation. In 2024, three releases of the central services of the RZ IKT A&I project (NDP sub-project) were successfully completed. Furthermore, the experimental platform for the new airspace surveillance and mission control system (LEIS) was successfully put into operation as a risk mitigation measure. This allows peripheral systems to be tested and approved, experience to be gained with the new software and operating processes to be introduced. In addition, the first cantonal sites were connected in the Secure Data Network Plus (SDVN+) project in 2024. The first cantonal locations were also connected to the Secure Data Network Plus (SDVN+) in 2024.
International cooperation and talent acquisition as success factors
The Cyber Command's participation in international exercises such as LOCKED SHIELDS, CYBER COALITION, CWIX and COMMON ROOF showed how important the exchange with international partners is. The command benefited from the expertise of other armies and countries and was able to contribute its own skills and progress at the same time. This cooperation is proving to be central to the further development of its own capabilities and its ability to work interoperably with partners.
Another key success factor for the Cyber Command was the recruitment of new talent, with many qualified specialists being recruited in a short space of time. This is particularly remarkable given the shortage of specialists, which is especially pronounced in the IT and cyber sectors. Thanks to various measures, Cyber 2024 Command has succeeded in sustainably increasing its attractiveness as an employer.
Cyber Command is now looking ahead and continuously developing its capabilities in line with the overall cyber concept. The consistent integration of users, the strengthening of defense capabilities and close international cooperation enable the Cyber Command to play its role as a central player in Switzerland's security.
Source: www.vtg.admin.ch
