The defence ministry has had its knuckles rapped for failing to assert Switzerland’s interests in an investigation into a cyberattack on the Ruag technology company in 2016.
A parliamentary control committee said the ministry had not done enough to insist on a thorough analysis of the attack in the strategic planning of the state-owned company.
The theft of an estimated 20 gigabytes of sensitive data was a serious problem, the committee said in a report published on Tuesday.
The control body said both the government and the defence ministry had acted swiftly in the wake of the discovery of the data theft. However, Ruag had taken some time to realise the risks linked to the attack and to take appropriate measures.
The finance ministry, in charge of IT systems of the government administration, is currently examining ways to unbundle the computer networks of the defence ministry and the technology company.
The control committee said it might take until 2023 to complete the process amid calls for a partial privatisation of Ruag.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
In Switzerland, New Year brings ‘burqa ban’ and pension hikes
Have you heard something about Swiss diplomacy that you’d like us to fact check?
Not all information circulating about Switzerland’s foreign relations is accurate or well understood. Tell us what you'd like us to fact check or clarify.
Gerhard Pfister to step down as Swiss Centre Party leader
This content was published on
Swiss Centre Party president Gerhard Pfister will step down next summer, the party announced in a press release on Monday.
SWISS crew member ‘died as a result of oxygen deprivation’
This content was published on
SWISS crew member reportedly died of brain damage resulting from lack of oxygen, following an emergency landing last month.
Zurich flights cancelled due to snow and freezing rain
This content was published on
Snowfall and freezing rain severely disrupt air traffic at Zurich airport over the weekend, with more than 50 flights being cancelled.
Terror threat rising in Switzerland, says Attorney General
This content was published on
The number of active terrorism investigations in Switzerland has doubled since 2022, according to the country’s top prosecutor.
Credit Suisse Nazi ties ‘ran deeper than thought’: media report
This content was published on
Credit Suisse is alleged to have withheld details of its historic links with World War II-era Nazi clients, says the Wall Street Journal.
Swiss man faces life imprisonment after Australia drugs arrest
This content was published on
Swiss man, 21, accused of attempting to smuggle 25 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of CHF4.5 million into Australia.
Swiss insurer Helvetia says 500 jobs affected by cost-cutting
This content was published on
Some 500 jobs, including 200 to 250 in Switzerland, are affected by the new operational efficiency measures recently announced by insurer Helvetia.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Digital attacks strike Switzerland ‘all the time’
This content was published on
Switzerland is particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks because of its high-tech infrastructure and financial services sector. A report published in 2015 by the professional service company, KPMG, stated that Swiss companies suffered losses of over CHF200 million ($201 million) due to cybercrime in 2014. “You are attacked all the time, but you just don’t know it,”…
This content was published on
Last year, 14,033 cybercrime cases were reported to police in Switzerland, compared to 11,575 in 2015 and 5,330 in 2011. A survey from the firm KPMGExternal link released this week found that 88% of Swiss companies have experienced cyber-attacks in the past year compared to 54% in 2016. This might be just the tip of…
More cyberwarriors needed, says Swiss defence minister
This content was published on
Switzerland remains under-resourced in fighting the almost ‘daily’ cyber attacks targeting the country, said Defence Minister Guy Parmelin.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.