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The forces of existing STEM initiatives have come together for the first time to form a powerful national umbrella campaign. The aim is to foster interest in young people to pursue STEM training and professions. The national STEM campaign, co-initiated by digitalswitzerland and Pro Juventute also counts other partners, including ETH, SAV, and Swissmem and it is carried out in three national languages.
STEM is part of the solution to face the challenges of the future. This includes exciting work to tackle climate change and health issues. Through pursuing a STEM profession, it’s possible to contribute to make the world a better place through academic activities or apprenticeships.
The advantage of STEM is that it spans a wide variety of professions. It also offers excellent career development opportunities with endless scope for interests. From an ICT perspective, students can learn cybersecurity and data science disciplines. There are also opportunities for a hands-on approach in the areas of civil engineering and infrastructure. When it comes to technology, machine tooling or innovative applied research might be of interest. It’s time to embrace a career path full of possibilities for growth and success.
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With the cybero quick test, you will find out whether your company is sufficiently protected against cyber risks.
36%
of Swiss SMEs have already been the victim of a cyber attack*.
15%
of Swiss SMEs consider the risk of being suspended for a day due to a cyber attack to be high or very high*.
56%
of SMEs consider the topic of cyber security to be important for their company.*
*Source: Home office and cyber security in Swiss SMEs (only in German) commissioned by Die Mobiliar, digitalswitzerland, FHNW Hochschule für Wirtschaft, SATW; conducted by gfs-zürich. November 2021
In addition to the SME CyberCheck, we have developed the Cybersecurity Guide for SMEs. This guide shows you practical recommendations and provides further information on the topic of cybersecurity.
Important background information on the SME CyberCheck.
Why is a risk profile important when dealing with cyber risks?
With the SME CyberCheck, you create your own IT risk profile. This makes it easier for you to detect and better assess possible risks.
How do I act in view of the risks?
How do I ensure that my company does not fall victim to cybercrime?
Use the technical and organisational expertise of a CyberSeal-certified service provider to protect your company from cyber attacks.
The Cybersecurity quick check is supported by the following partners.
In accordance with the guiding principle to transform Switzerland into a leading digital nation, digitalswitzerland is committed to the successful digitalisation of Switzerland in the political arena. We actively communicate our ideas and positions to political decision-makers and the public.
18 March 2023 – Response to the decision of the National Council on the amendment of the Information Security Act [22.073]
To the response: German and French
12 February 2023 – Consultation response on management measures in the event of severe electricity shortages
To the consultation response: German
29 September 2022 – Consultation response on the Federal Act on Electronic Proof of Identity and other Electronic Proofs (E-ID Act, BGEID)
To the consultation response: German and French
9 September 2022 – Consultation response on the Revision of the Matura Recognition Ordinance and the Administrative Agreement on the Recognition of Matura Certificates
To the consultation response: German and French
29 June 2022 – Letter in Support of Article 16a on the Federal Act on the Use of Electronic Means for the Performance of Official Duties (EMBaG) to the members of the Committee for Science, Education and Culture of the National Council of States (SEC-N) and the members of the Committee for Political Institutions of the National Council (PIC-N)
To the letter: German and French
2 June 2022 – Letter to the National Council on the motion “Federal Participation in the Establishment and Operation of the National Test Institute for Cybersecurity” [Grüter 20.4495]
To the letter: German and French
3 May 2022 – Statement on the Federal Mobility Data Infrastructure Act (MODIG)
Read the statement (only in German)
13 April 2022 – Statement on the Federal Act on Information Security (ISG)
Read the statement (only in German)
1 April 2022 – Letter to the members of the Committee for Science, Education and Culture of the Council of States (SECC) on the Federal Act on the Use of Electronic Means for the Performance of Official Duties (EMBaG)
To the letter: German and French
25 March 2022 – Revision of the Ordinance on Telecommunications Services (OTS) (adaptation of the universal service provisions)
Read the statement (only in German)
18 March 2022 – Amendment of the Telecommunications Services Ordinance (Security of Information and of Telecommunications Infrastructures and Services)
Read the statement (only in German)
15 March 2022 – Letter to the Council of States on the motion “Push digital projects with public interest – close legal loophole” [21.4377, Würth].
To the letter: German and French
13 January 2022 – Amendment to the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act: facilitation of admission for foreign nationals with a Swiss university degree [Mo Dobler 17.3067]
Read the statement (only in German)
14 October 2021 – Revision of the Ordinance to the Federal Act on Data Protection
Read the statement (only in German)
13 October 2021 – Public consultation on the “e-ID mission”
To the press release and statement
15 September 2021 – Statement on the amendment of Ordinance 2 to the Labor Code
To the media release and statement
17 August 2021 – Statement on the redesign of e-voting trials
To the press release and statement: German and French
14 April 2021 – Swiss E-ID – Back to square one
Read the article
25 March 2021 – Statement on the Federal Act on the Use of Electronic Means for the Performance of Official Duties (EMBaG)
Read the statement (only in German)
15 March 2021 – Letter regarding the political business “Provisional judicial opening, adaptation to changed business practice (digitalisation) [19.3448, Dobler]
Read the statement: German version, French Version
8 March 2021 – Rejection of E-ID law
To the press release
26 February 2021 – Statement on the amendment of the Federal Act against Unfair Competition (UCA)
Read the statement (only in German)
The 4T-DLT initiative published a whitepaper which is broken down into the so-called ‘4 Trusts’. The authors provide fundamental information on the technical and legal framework to establish and operate a secure, interoperable, reliable and trusted digital infrastructure. The whitepaper is both a navigation guide and a source of knowledge for users, advisors and authorities. Read the 4T-DLT whitepaper here.
Are you interested in becoming part of the community? (i.e. to stay up to date, to contribute to the discussion or to participate in the creation of a secure, interoperable and reliable Swiss Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) infrastructure). Join the community here.
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We want to help citizens leverage the potential of distributed ledger technology (DLT), facilitating the independent storage of digital information, values and rights, and the straightforward and efficient transfer of these.
To this end, we want to work together to develop the technical and legal framework/requirements/standards necessary to establish a secure, interoperable and reliable digital infrastructure (a ‘DLT infrastructure’).
T1 – Trust Element of Configuration
How may the authenticity, integrity, confidentiality and availability of information associated with digital assets be ensured?
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T2 – Trust Element of Consensus
What are the requirements for DLT protocols to allow for a seamless execution of transactions?
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T3 – Trust Element of Custody
How may both companies and private individuals (themselves) be enabled to store digital assets in a reliable and easy manner?
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T4 – Trust Element of Transaction
How may the liability (value deposit), allocation and transfer of digital assets be ensured in an efficient, legally secure and simple manner?
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As first deliverables, the collaborators have produced four explanatory videos for each element of trust as well as an initial whitepaper outlining the technical and legal framework to establish a secure, interoperable and reliable digital infrastructure.
Outlook: The team is already working on “season 2”: Building up a community with members interested in being part of the 4T-DLT journey to discuss and participate in the creation of a secure, interoperable and reliable Swiss Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) infrastructure.
We are not an association. We are experts who want to build the foundations for a DLT infrastructure from different perspectives. To achieve this, we are looking for thought leaders, movers and shakers from start-ups, SMEs, major corporations, financial intermediaries and industry associations to help us to define and flesh out the key issues.
Delimitation from other initiatives: The primary aim is to support all initiatives, whether by analysing information or the participation of our exponents in various other initiatives.
We will work together as a team to prepare the information and basic requirements for the use of a DLT infrastructure in a functioning ecosystem. Training and information are part and parcel of this. We will be pursuing a community approach. Results are open source.
The project was kicked off by the coordinators Luka Müller and Johs Höhener, who are also responsible for ensuring an efficient implementation. We are being supported (organisation, administration, communication) by digitalswitzerland.
The stakers will contribute to developing the 4T-DLT initiative and nominate a representative for the shapers. Full visibility in all activities, cooperation with decision-makers from business and politics
Estimated effort: 5 person days per year
Annual contribution: CHF 8,000
Current Partners
Visibility in all activities, liaison with leading experts from business and politics, development and co-determination of the infrastructure of tomorrow.
The shapers will work on the implementation and coordinate the activities in their organisations and the respective working group. Persons with special knowledge in the field of DLT, who are interested in working on the ecosystem, are very welcome. Already involved are:
The contributors will work with the shapers on the development of background and information material for the infrastructure of tomorrow.
They will have an opportunity to actively develop the initiative alongside leading experts; visibility will depend on the contribution made.
Estimated effort: 5-10 person days per year
Let’s work together to consolidate the 4 Ts and define the standardisations to lay the foundation for a trustworthy, ecosystem-ready DLT infrastructure. To achieve this, we need passionate individuals with an interest in pushing the agenda forward with drive and enthusiasm.
Would you like to…
The parliamentary group Parldigi brings together members of the National Council and the Council of States to promote digitalisation in Switzerland. digitalswitzerland is a proud supporter of Parldigi. Together with the parliamentary groups, we offer platforms for expert discussions with economy and academia and introduce important concerns for digitalisation into the parliamentary debate.
The parliamentary group Digital Sustainability, founded in 2009, promotes the digitally sustainable use of knowledge assets through parliamentary interventions, dinner events, open hearings, media releases and blogs.
The parliamentary group Digital Sustainability, founded in 2009, promotes the digitally sustainable use of knowledge assets through parliamentary interventions, dinner events, open hearings, media releases and blogs.
Together with parliamentary groups such as Parldigi, we regularly hold session events on current topics in digital policy. The information and networking events provide an important platform for exchange between politics, economy and academia. The invitation to the events is exclusively for politicians, representatives of the administration and our members. The events usually take place in Bern and are held in German.
Review of past events
Several session events were held in cooperation with the ePower parliamentary group.
ePower session event of 1 March 2022
Independence with the greatest possible security in cyber security – a dilemma?
Read the review: German version, French version
ePower session event of 28 September 2021
Regulation of the Internet: Between social responsibility, censorship and feasibility
Read the review: German version, French version
digitalswitzerland Session Event Monday, 14 June 2021
Can Switzerland go digital? Lessons from the crisis
Read the review: German version, French version
digitalswitzerland’s Boost programme is designed to promote the acquisition of digital skills by Swiss workers through co-financing under certain conditions. With this programme, we wish to contribute to upskilling employees so that they can seize opportunities within the current situation. Originally supported by the Hirschmann Foundation and the Gebert Rüf Foundation, UBS is now the main partner.
It is important to encourage and support organisations and employees to think about #lifelonglearning and career planning at all levels. Our website explore.lifelonglearning offers key learnings and guiding questions. Check out videos and 100 testimonials about #LifelongLearning here.
Switzerland’s innovative strength and attraction as a business location faces uncertainty without enough young talent in the STEM sector. The STEM campaign, co-initiated by digitalswitzerland and Pro Juventute, aims to inspire and motivate our youth to follow career paths in STEM, to keep Switzerland competitive and help solve major problems the world faces today.
The Sea of Lifelong Learning is a collection of insights from dozens of employers participating in the #LifelongLearning campaign by digitalswitzerland and the Swiss Employers’ Association (SAV). digitalswitzerland aggregated key learning, trends and guiding questions that help HR professionals and business leaders explore and navigate the vast sea that is lifelong learning.
digitalswitzerland’s Boost programme is designed to promote the acquisition of digital skills by Swiss workers through co-financing under certain conditions. With this programme, we wish to contribute to upskilling employees so that they can seize opportunities within the current situation. Originally supported by the Hirschmann Foundation and the Gebert Rüf Foundation, UBS is now the main partner.
Switzerland’s innovative strength and attraction as a business location faces uncertainty without enough young talent in the STEM sector. The STEM campaign, co-initiated by digitalswitzerland and Pro Juventute, aims to inspire and motivate our youth to follow career paths in STEM, to keep Switzerland competitive and help solve major problems the world faces today.
It is important to encourage and support organisations and employees to think about #lifelonglearning and career planning at all levels. Our website explore.lifelonglearning offers key learnings and guiding questions. Check out videos and 100 testimonials about #LifelongLearning here.
The Sea of Lifelong Learning is a collection of insights from dozens of employers participating in the #LifelongLearning campaign by digitalswitzerland and the Swiss Employers’ Association (SAV). digitalswitzerland aggregated key learning, trends and guiding questions that help HR professionals and business leaders explore and navigate the vast sea that is lifelong learning.
Digitalisation is boosting the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines for professions in a wide range of sectors. Women are vastly underrepresented in STEM fields today. For this reason digitalswitzerland calls on politicians, the educational system, business and society to create fair and attractive conditions for women in IT. It is crucial for society and for Switzerland as a business location that women are also well equipped to seize the opportunities presented by the transformation.
The demand for a modern and flexible labour law is extremely relevant for Switzerland’s attractiveness as a business location in the context of an increasingly digital world of work. digitalswitzerland is part of the alliance allianz denkplatz schweiz, which advocates, among others, for the modernisation of working time models.
Digitalisation is boosting the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines for professions in a wide range of sectors. Women are vastly underrepresented in STEM fields today. For this reason digitalswitzerland calls on politicians, the educational system, business and society to create fair and attractive conditions for women in IT. It is crucial for society and for Switzerland as a business location that women are also well equipped to seize the opportunities presented by the transformation.
The demand for a modern and flexible labour law is extremely relevant for Switzerland’s attractiveness as a business location in the context of an increasingly digital world of work. digitalswitzerland is part of the alliance allianz denkplatz schweiz, which advocates, among others, for the modernisation of working time models.
As in other sectors, digitalisation and the ageing of society will be drivers for the decline in labour market supply. The ageing of society means that an increasingly large proportion of the population will no longer be available as a workforce. The overarching goal of the study is to capture the skilled labour potential of the 58 – 70 age cohort in ICT and the opportunities to activate that group.
The number of employees in the ICT sector is growing four times as fast as in the economy as a whole. There is already an acute shortage of skilled workers, which will become even more serious in the future (see the current study on skilled workers). In order to ensure the supply of skilled workers, digitalswitzerland has identified a strong need for action.
ICT-Fachkräftesituation: Bedarfsprognose 2028 (full study only in german)
As in other sectors, digitalisation and the ageing of society will be drivers for the decline in labour market supply. The ageing of society means that an increasingly large proportion of the population will no longer be available as a workforce. The overarching goal of the study is to capture the skilled labour potential of the 58 – 70 age cohort in ICT and the opportunities to activate that group.
The number of employees in the ICT sector is growing four times as fast as in the economy as a whole. There is already an acute shortage of skilled workers, which will become even more serious in the future (see the current study on skilled workers). In order to ensure the supply of skilled workers, digitalswitzerland has identified a strong need for action.
ICT-Fachkräftesituation: Bedarfsprognose 2028 (full study only in german)
digitalswitzerland provides comprehensive monitoring of digital policy at federal and cantonal level. We regularly publish an outlook and review of the sessions of the national parliament. The publications are available in the national languages German and French.
Do you have a question or concern regarding the digital policy landscape in Switzerland? The team is available for an exchange. Contact us!
Recent outlooks and reviews of the session
Review of the Special Session 2023
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Additional Digital Policy Items in German and French
Outlook for the Special Session 2023
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Additional Digital Policy Items in German and French
Review of the Spring Session 2023
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Additional Digital Policy Items in German and French
Outlook for the Spring Session 2023
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Outlook for the Winter Session 2022
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Outlook for the Autumn Session 2022
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Outlook for the Summer Session 2022
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Review of the Special Session 2022
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Outlook for the Special Session 2022
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Review of the Spring Session 2022
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Outlook for the Spring Session 2022
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Review of the Winter Session 2021
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Outlook of the Winter Session 2021
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Review of the Autumn Session 2021
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Outlook for the Autumn Session 2021
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Review of the Summer Session 2021
Read the review in German
Read the review in French
Review of the the Special Session 2021
Read the review
Review of the Spring Session 2021
Read the review
First conducted in Switzerland in 2020
With the propagated “end” of the pandemic, the flexibility of SMEs is also coming to an end. Primarily working from home has not become established, as the results of the latest study on digitalisation and cybersecurity in SMEs show. The situation is similar with cybersecurity: despite a strong presence in the media, the topic has a low priority among the companies surveyed. The implementation of organisational and technical measures to improve cybersecurity has also not increased. One third of the surveyed SMEs outsource their IT security to external service providers. The quality of the services offered is thus crucial for the security of small businesses in Switzerland.
The survey was carried out on behalf of the Swiss Mobiliar Insurance Company Ltd, digitalswitzerland, Allianz Digitale Sicherheit Schweiz, the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland FHNW – Digital Transformation Competence Centre and the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences SATW.
Published 21 June 2021
As in other sectors, digitalisation and the ageing of society will be drivers for the decline in labour market supply. The ageing of society means that an increasingly large proportion of the population will no longer be available as a workforce. The overarching goal of the study is to capture the skilled labour potential of the 58 – 70 age cohort in ICT and the opportunities to activate that group.
First conducted in Switzerland in 2015; annually updated.
digitalswitzerland supports the annual Swiss Software Industry Survey (SSIS), the largest study in all of Switzerland to examine the industry’s key performance indicators, which is carried out by the Institute of Information Systems at the University of Bern. The SSIS is a long-term survey and provides information on the latest situation, the newest trends and long-term developments in the Swiss software industry.
The complete study results since 2015 until today:
First conducted in Switzerland in 2010; updated every two years.
The number of people working in information and communication technology (ICT) in Switzerland is growing at twice the rate of the overall economy. Every two years, ICT Vocational Training Switzerland, a subsidiary association of digitalswitzerland, considers how many ICT specialists the country will need in the coming eight years.
The complete study results since 2010 until today (only available in German):
First conducted in Switzerland in 2019
From 25 January to 15 February 2019, the market and social research institute gfs-zürich asked one thousand adults in German-speaking and western Switzerland about online security.
The survey shows that about one million people in Switzerland have already been affected by an attack via the Internet. These attacks resulted in financial damage, needed time and expense to put them right or had a stressful emotional impact. Nonetheless, more than half of those affected believe they are sufficiently well informed to be able to protect themselves against such attacks. This conflicting view, at odds with the reality of the damage caused, shows just how important comprehensive awareness-raising activities are.
First conducted in Switzerland in 2017.
More than a third of all Swiss SMEs are affected by cyber-attacks. Most, however, still feel they are well to very well protected, and only 4% of SMEs’ CEOs consider a cyber-attack a significant or very significant risk to their livelihood. These disturbing findings are from the representative survey carried out by market and social research institute gfs-zürich. Trade associations and the government are being pressed to take action to counteract this nonchalance towards cyber-attacks.
First conducted in Switzerland in 2015.
The study shows that job-seeking IT professionals aged 45 and over are well qualified overall. The fact that job market opportunities fall as applicants get older could be related to recruiting filters. There is a lack of transparency in the IT industry due to the lack of a single language for describing capabilities and requirements. The study proposes specific measures to promote opportunities on the labour market for Swiss IT professionals. The measures and recommendations are aimed at applicants/employees, employers and industry associations, educational institutions as well as politicians and administrators.
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