Great importance of critical infrastructures

Critical infrastructure protection aims to ensure the supply of crucial goods and services, such as energy, transport and health care. Critical infrastructures include not just buildings and facilities, but also supply systems and services in the broadest sense. Serious disruptions, for example a nationwide power cut, can have far-reaching consequences for the population and cause considerable damage to the economy. The protection of critical infrastructures consists of various structural, technical, organisational and legal measures aimed at preventing such disruptions or restoring functionality if an incident occurs.

National strategy on protecting critical infrastructures

The protection of critical infrastructures has been a concern of the Federal Council for some time. In 2012, it approved the first national CIP Strategy, which was updated in 2017. Switzerland’s 2018-2022 CIP Strategy defines the overriding goals and principles of action for all parties involved. The strategy also identifies 17 measures to improve the country’s resilience, i.e. its resistance, versatility and regeneration capacity, with regard to its critical infrastructures. For example, the supervisory and regulatory authorities were charged with examining all sectors for any significant risk of major supply disruption, and establishing measures for improving security where necessary. A further measure involved compiling an inventory, to be updated periodically, of strategically important objects in Switzerland, such as hubs for the power supply, communications, food distribution or the provision of medicines.

Co-operation between involved parties

The national CIP Strategy is implemented within existing structures and responsibilities, and the Federal Office of Civil Protection FOCP is charged with co-ordinating its implementation. The work is carried out collaboratively with the operators of critical infrastructures, with the supervisory and regulatory authorities in various sectors, and with the cantons. The strategy will be reviewed again in 2022 and revised if necessary.