The spur to set up the secretariat was the war in Ukraine as well as the evolution of conflict to include hybrid strategies like cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and blackmail, the government said on Wednesday.
National security policy is no longer just about military defense, it said; it needs a wider remit, and as such the secretariat will bring together various different desks and agencies already operating under Defence Minister Viola Amherd.
Amherd told media in Bern that the new office would not need extra financial resources, and that staff would be drawn from existing pools. She also reiterated that the naming of the office as a civilian rather than military unit did not amount to a loss of influence for the armed forces.
The secretariat will analyse the national and international security situation together with the Federal Intelligence Services (FIS), the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol) and various foreign ministry desks. It will also be responsible for the national strategy for the protection of critical infrastructure.
The coordinated office will allow the country “to react flexibly to important security policy developments”, the government said.
Also on Wednesday the government confirmed funding of CHF13.7 million ($15.3 million) for the transfer of the National Cybersecurity Centre (NCSC) to the defence ministry next year, where it will become a full federal agency. The transfer was announced in December 2022.
More
More
Government paints bleak picture of security situation
This content was published on
The Swiss government has called for efforts to boost conflict detection amid the war in Ukraine which poses a threat to security and peace in Europe.
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
This content was published on
The Swiss parliament has finalised the 2025 federal budget, with the army receiving more money at the expense of foreign aid.
Switzerland expresses sympathy after earthquake hits South Pacific
This content was published on
"Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu who are struggling with the consequences of this devastating earthquake," the Swiss embassy in Australia said.
This content was published on
The Swiss agricultural sector is to benefit from greater federal support between 2026 and 2029, after a vote by the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Swiss senate votes to make gender discrimination punishable by law
This content was published on
Incitement to hatred or discrimination on the grounds of gender should be punishable in Switzerland, after the Senate voted to amend the penal code.
Switzerland increasingly a target for people smuggling and trafficking
This content was published on
Switzerland is increasingly being targeted by organized crime. This also applies to commercial people smuggling, the fastest growing criminal market in Europe.
Swiss forests better equipped against storms 25 years after Lothar
This content was published on
Twenty-five years ago, Hurricane Lothar toppled trees like dominoes in Switzerland. Forests today are better prepared to cope with such an exceptional event, say experts.
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.