Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity technology in Greater Zurich

Switzerland, particularly the Greater Zurich Area, plays a leading role in the research and development of technologies used for cybersecurity. The Greater Zurich economic region is a renowned location for information technologies: ETH Zurich and good cooperative efforts put the location at a high level of development with regard to modern technologies. Both professors and doctoral candidates as well as students work closely with businesses in Greater Zurich while researching innovations in safety technologies and data security. 

Trust, of course, plays a central role, because handling and hosting sensitive data are reinforced these days online in a cloud and Switzerland is a preferred host country. In addition to these aspects, which speak to Switzerland as a host country, clear laws, the high level of education among employees in the IT sector as well as the economically profitable infrastructures also factor in. Switzerland has clear data protection regulations. Any company that chooses a Swiss host for its data security should have no concerns about unauthorized access. 

Cyber engagement in Greater Zurich

Greater Zurich plays a significant role in cyber engagement through international, regional and local trade associations such as the Institute of International Finance (IIF), Insurance Europe, and the Swiss Insurance Association. In addition, Zurich is an active member of the Geneva Association and the Center for European Policy Studies. Members here are involved with political development as much as with organizational and societal issues. This strengthens the relationships in the area of cybersecurity, for example, in the USA, Great Britain, Europe and Switzerland. Expert discussions with the Agency for Cyber Security in the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) also make up a part.

Security Made in Switzerland

Manufacturers of hardware and end units play an increasing larger role in security packages. Swiss companies, such as Securosys, have a good reputation internationally for security and quality. The "Made in Switzerland" label represents a clear competitive advantage for quality, functionality and reliability.

The encryption of mobile phones is particularly good in Switzerland, because small companies, like spin-offs from ETH Zurich, offer peak technologies: ETH has one of the top five teams in the world in the area of cybersecurity. The cross-industry Zurich Information Security & Privacy Center (ZISC) was established back in 2003. The team tirelessly researches optimal solutions for cybersecurity. The collaboration between businesses, authorities (military) and the Swiss universities is a core piece of the Action Plan Cyber Defense (APCD).

Network security is the biggest field of cybersecurity

The biggest cybersecurity field in Switzerland is network security. A recognized center of expertise in the area of Internet Governance with central Internet Society organizations, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the Secretary of the Internet Governance Forum are all located in Geneva. More than 50 percent of the global internet activities are domiciled here.

The president of the Swiss software company Acronis, John Zanni, also sees the advantages of the Greater Zurich Area and confirmed in an interview with Switzerland Global Enterprise, that the international headquarters was successfully established in Schaffhausen in the Greater Zurich Area in 2008. The Greater Zurich Area also benefits from international companies, multilingualism, and a high standard of education.