Swiss Cyber Security Days" take place for the first time

The "Swiss Cyber Security Days (SCSD)" with its numerous conferences will be held at the Forum Fribourg in Granges-Paccot, about 30 km from the city of Bern. The two-day event aims to bring together stakeholders and advisors from business, politics and research. Nicolas Mayencourt contributed to the program. SecurityForum interviewed the entrepreneur and IT security specialist.

There are numerous events on the subject of cyber security. Why was this two-day event created?

Nicolas Mayencourt, entrepreneur and IT security specialist: The first edition of the "Swiss Cyber Security Days (SCSD)" is an experiment. But the feedback so far on our national forum with exhibition makes us very confident. Originally, we had expected maybe 60 exhibitors, but the number is around 100 including sponsors.

You're right that there are numerous trade shows and events on IT topics. Some are pure product shows, others are exclusively very technically oriented hacker events. We are treading a middle path and would like to build a bridge between specialists and "laymen" with the SCSD. At this event, IT specialists and "affected parties" such as SME bosses, but also representatives of the public sector, should discuss with each other. And people from all regions, which is why we have also chosen bilingual Fribourg as the venue for the event. Cyber security concerns everyone, because the problem affects the whole of society and does not stop at borders.

The SCSD brochure states that the new IT security platform will bring together consultants, system integrators and solution providers. This means that IT insiders will be discussing with each other, but not necessarily an SME manager who may have little to do with IT.

Mayencourt: The event is divided into different - we call them tracks. These are tailored to the respective target audience. On the big stage in Track A, there will be no lectures in a "technical language", even if the topics are technical. This is to appeal to people who are not as knowledgeable in the IT security field. Track B, on the other hand, will discuss the same topics as in A, but exclusively for IT professionals. The aim is for both groups to be able to discuss the same aspects at the networking event afterwards. This should promote mutual understanding. After all, IT security must also be discussed at the appropriate level in the board of directors and the executive suite, otherwise we IT specialists won't get anywhere.

What criteria were used to compile the SCSD topics?

Mayencourt: We have tried to highlight the most relevant topics from different perspectives. As mentioned, representatives of official Switzerland will also be taking part in the discussions with us at the SCSD - from both the civilian and military sectors. Because on the cyber issue, the viewpoint of the national government is important to us.

We see ourselves as a national platform, but with international appeal: For example, a government representative from South Korea will report on how North Korea's so-called APT attacks (Advanced Persistent Threat) threaten the world from the state side. The speaker will show how the country under Kim Jong-un sabotages activities or has foreign banks robbed by hackers in order to balance its national budget. With such presentations, we want to show what cyber risks can threaten a nation today.

So, in order to provide comprehensive information, international experts will also have their say. Each speaker will report in his or her own language - from English to Korean to Spanish. But all presentations will be translated simultaneously.

The detailed interview is available in the SafetyForum, issue 1/2019.