First implementation report on the National Cyber Strategy (NCS)
At its meeting on May 14, 2025, the Federal Council was informed about the first implementation report on the National Cyber Strategy (NCS). The report documents the status of national work to strengthen cybersecurity. It was compiled by the NCS steering committee in collaboration with the Federal Office for Cybersecurity (BACS). It shows clear progress: Important coordination structures have been created, ongoing projects have been implemented and new ones launched, and Switzerland's international visibility in the area of cybersecurity has been strengthened.
With the NCS, the Confederation is pursuing a holistic approach to strengthen Switzerland's cyber resilience. It focuses on five strategic goals: empowering the population, the security of digital services and critical infrastructures, defending against and managing cyber attacks, combating cybercrime and international cooperation. The NCS implementation report shows clear progress. For example, ongoing projects in all five strategic objectives of the NCS have been driven forward in a targeted manner and new ones have been launched.
Concrete progress in the implementation of the NCS
The skills of the population, companies and authorities in dealing with cyber threats were strengthened through awareness-raising measures and the promotion of research and education. The "S-U-P-E-R.ch" campaign in 2024 and Switzerland's participation in "European Cyber Security Month" have helped to raise awareness of cyber security issues among the general public.
The strategy continues to focus on protecting critical infrastructures from cyber threats. Progress has been made in the implementation of vulnerability management programmes, such as the federal government's bug bounty programme, and in the establishment of specialized cyber security centres (CSCs) in sensitive sectors such as healthcare and rail transport. The establishment of the Cyber Security Hub (CSH) in the BACS has also made it possible to greatly expand the exchange of information on cyber threats.
In terms of standardization and regulation, the focus last year was on work to introduce a reporting obligation for cyber attacks on critical infrastructures. This came into force on April 1, 2025 and is the first cross-sector regulation in the area of cyber security.
In the area of combating cybercrime, the NCS promotes the expansion of specialized capacities in law enforcement agencies as well as closer cooperation at national and international level. Platforms such as Cyber-CASE and NEDIK enable faster detection and processing of digital crimes. At the same time, the standardization of data and processes as well as targeted training and further education should further increase efficiency in the future.
Switzerland has actively positioned itself internationally for security in the digital space. It promotes the location of International Geneva with initiatives such as Geneva Cyber Week and strengthens international efforts for binding rules in cyberspace through its participation in UN processes and the Counter Ransomware Initiative.
NCS steering committee supports strategy implementation
The NCS was approved by the Federal Council and the cantonal governments (through the Conference of Cantonal Justice and Police Directors) in April 2023. As provided for in the NCS, the Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) set up an NCS steering committee (StA NCS) in June 2024, which monitors the implementation and further development of the strategy and informs the Federal Council, the cantons and the public annually about the status of implementation of the NCS.
