The safety of people, the environment and equipment is the top priority when operating process technology systems. Where plant areas are at risk of explosion, for example due to the substances used in the process, appropriate protective measures must be taken and reliably documented. However, this is a complex task, as the calculations must take into account the entire wiring of the system as well as the ambient conditions. The automation experts at Rösberg have been offering the SmartEXI web tool for this task since February 2025. It can be used to calculate whether equipment may be interconnected and the maximum possible cable length. The tool also determines the protection level of the circuits, the Ex group and much more. For the first time, a simple solution is now available that can be used across the board without restrictions and provides tamper-proof verification.

Tamper-proof documentation in three steps

The procedure for creating intrinsic safety certificates is very simple. In the first step, users create their system or assets and enter the necessary information such as name, Ex group, protection level, etc. in a corresponding mask. In the second step, the system automatically checks whether, for example, two devices may be interconnected in the given environment (Ex zone classification, temperatures, etc.) and what maximum cable lengths are permitted between the devices. In the third step, users then receive a tamper-proof certificate that they can save in addition to their technical system documentation. Throughout the entire process, the transparent calculation logic ensures that it is clear how the web tool has determined the results. Users also benefit from manufacturer independence, tamper-proof documentation, increased efficiency and ease of use. Without time-consuming and expensive implementation, you can quickly obtain a secure Ex-i certificate.

Source and further information: https://smartexi.roesberg.com/

The German company burster from the Black Forest focuses on supplying users in mechanical and plant engineering, automation, automotive engineering with suppliers, electrical engineering, electronics and the chemical industry. With the MySensor service, all force, torque, displacement and pressure sensors from the portfolio can be adapted to the user's specifications or redesigned to meet individual customer requirements. Although this may sound time-consuming, it is usually cheaper than converting the systems themselves for the use of standard sensors, according to the company. The procedure also saves time and guarantees optimum measured values, the company adds. The conversion begins with a feasibility analysis in which CAD data is evaluated. If necessary, the sensor experts inspect the device via video in order to find the best possible position for force or torque measurement and then agree on the procedure. After the analysis, a prototype is produced, tested and evaluated by the user and then manufactured in series. The materials available are aluminum or stainless steel. They cover a wide range of application requirements and are suitable for special requirements in areas such as hygiene or medical technology. If required, strain gauges can also be integrated directly into customer parts to absorb forces.  

Special design cheaper - how does that work?

Custom-made products are cost-intensive and therefore undesirable. However, it is often sufficient to adapt the sensor design in order to avoid a mechanical conversion of the machine. This saves time and money. The range of possibilities is wide: housing variations with modified inner or outer diameters, shoulders or flanges or recesses on the housing, modified (through) holes for countersunk screw heads are sufficient in some applications for the sensor to fit. Sometimes fully encapsulated sensor bodies are required to prevent the ingress of foreign particles during injection molding (image above). One example can be found in motor vehicles, where a sensor with a particularly flat design is required for force measurement on the control pedal. But even more complicated applications can be implemented quickly with MySensor. Determining the center of gravity of a crane boom truck requires insensitivity to vibration and shock as well as integrated low-power electronics and maximum reliability thanks to a fully encapsulated, laser-welded design. The insensitivity to lateral loads is ensured by eight strain gauges. Another complex application example can be found in the measurement of intraocular pressure. Here, small forces have to be measured with low temperature drift (image below), which was achieved by decoupling the sensor body of the "contact glass dynamometer".

Source and further information: www.burster.de

The EU Cyber Resilience Act came into force on December 10, 2024. This places new obligations on manufacturers of "products with digital elements". "Companies that are subject to the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) should hurry to adapt their products to the requirements of the CRA," says Jan Wendenburg, CEO of the Düsseldorf-based cybersecurity company Onekey. He points out that the first CRA regulations will apply from September 2026 and all others from December 11, 2027. "From this date, all networked products must fully comply with the cyber security requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act," clarifies Jan Wendenburg. Manufacturers, importers and retailers are equally challenged: Without CRA conformity, the CE mark may not be awarded, and thus the affected products may no longer be sold in the EU.

The European Commission's Cyber Resilience Act, which was adopted on December 10, 2024, is the most comprehensive regulation to date on the cyber security of connected products in Europe. For all manufacturers of devices "with digital elements", i.e. all smart products, whether for industry, consumers or businesses, time is of the essence, as the new security requirements must already be taken into account during product development. "In view of the product life cycles, which generally span many years, the topic of CRA should therefore be given top priority in order to be able to continue selling on the EU market in the future," advises Jan Wendenburg.

"Security by design" for CRA compliance

Key elements for CRA compliance are the principle of "security by design" as well as continuous risk assessment and vulnerability remediation. In addition, the EU CRA requires a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) to make software components traceable and to identify risks in the supply chain at an early stage. The CRA categorizes products into three security classes: Critical, Important and Other. Corresponding requirements must be met in each class. The security of the supply chain is particularly relevant here, as vulnerabilities in third-party and open source components can jeopardize the integrity of the overall system. The implementation period of 24 or 36 months since coming into force on December 10, 2024 poses major challenges for manufacturers, as product developments often take years. In order to meet the requirements of the CRA, companies should implement cybersecurity best practices as quickly as possible. In addition to the CRA, other regulatory frameworks such as RED II (EN 18031) and IEC 62443-4-2 must also be taken into account. Special compliance tools can help to meet current and future requirements by enabling a quick, simple and therefore efficient cybersecurity assessment of product software. One example of this is the patent-pending Compliance Wizard from Onekey.

"Companies that adapt their product strategy in good time not only secure their market approval in the EU, but also their competitiveness. Product lifecycle cybersecurity, proactive compliance and supply chain transparency are becoming indispensable success factors for all manufacturers on the EU market," explains Jan Wendenburg.

The new requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act

In order to meet the new requirements, companies must be able to identify security vulnerabilities in their products and continuously monitor the product life cycle. This means that every software version must be tested and - as long as it is active - continuously monitored for possible new vulnerabilities. New vulnerabilities must be continuously assessed and, if necessary, reported and/or measures taken to repair them.

The CRA requirements cover the entire life cycle of smart products - from planning and development through to operation and subsequent decommissioning. Manufacturers are obliged to offer security updates for their products for a period of at least five years. If the product is used for a shorter period, this period can be shortened accordingly. "In many industrial sectors, however, product lifetimes of 10 or 20 years or even longer are not uncommon. This means that monitoring, maintenance, vulnerability management and patch strategies must also be maintained over a correspondingly long period," says Jan Wendenburg, explaining the challenges.

"The implementation of the Cyber Resilience Act poses considerable practical challenges for manufacturers," explains Jan Wendenburg. He cites specific examples: "In industrial manufacturing, where control and production systems are used for decades and regular security updates are required to ensure compliance. In the IoT industry, such as smart household appliances, constant maintenance of the software bill of materials is also necessary in order to quickly identify and rectify potential vulnerabilities." Companies need to work closely with their suppliers and use third-party software testing tools, such as binary analysis solutions, to ensure security monitoring upon receipt of goods and throughout the product lifecycle. "Only automated processes and tools for vulnerability and compliance analysis make it possible to meet the new legal requirements in an economically viable and efficient manner," says Jan Wendenburg.

Source: Onekey

CRA and Switzerland

The provisions of the Cyber Resilience Act also affect Swiss companies, particularly if they wish to export products with digital components to the EU. Network devices such as routers and switches, industrial control systems and software products are affected. Swiss companies wishing to export such products or other products with digital elements to the EU are obliged to meet the requirements of the CRA and must provide corresponding proof of conformity. According to information from the Federal Office for Cybersecurity BACS, the majority of products are considered "non-critical". This means that a self-declaration is sufficient as proof of conformity. However, for products such as intelligent door locks, alarm systems, wearable medical devices and the like, the requirements for conformity are higher and require an assessment by a third party.

red. / swisscybersecurity.net / Redguard AG

Food manufacturers face the daily challenge of meeting the highest standards such as HACCP or ISO 22000. At the same time, the costs of raw materials, energy and wages are rising. But how can efficiency and product safety be optimally combined? The answer lies in high-quality weighing and inspection technologies, such as those from the manufacturer Minebea Intec. The company points out that in Germany alone, two products have to be recalled every day. It is often the small details that make the difference between success and recall. Top speaker Oliver Eck, Head of Food & Agriculture Western Europe at TÜV Nord and Managing Director of TÜV Austria, will therefore provide exclusive insights into audits and certifications. He will show what is important for HACCP, FSSC 22000 and IFS and how manufacturers can best prepare for audits. All participants will receive a TÜV certificate of attendance as proof of their further training in the area of food safety.

In addition to presentations, the Food Safety Days 2025 will also feature live demonstrations of the latest inspection and weighing technologies for maximum food safety. The Mitus metal detector, for example, will be on show^® for detecting and removing products contaminated with metal, or X-ray inspection systems that can detect contamination and ensure correct fill levels. In weighing technology, the checkweigher Flexus^® for checking the correct weight or volume and the weighing module Novego^® for precise dosing and filling. Completely new innovations in the field of industrial scales will also be announced. 

In addition to the technical presentations and workshops, there will be production tours to experience Minebea Intec's quality standards in practice. The first day will conclude with a BBQ in a relaxed atmosphere as an opportunity to network and exchange experiences. Places are limited. Interested parties can register on this website: https://www.minebea-intec.com/de/food-safety-day register free of charge.

Source and further information: www.minebea-intec.com

Founded in 1976, the CGI Group is one of the world's largest independent providers of IT and business process services. With 91,000 consultants and experts worldwide, CGI offers a broad portfolio of services - from strategic IT and business consulting to system integration, managed IT and business process services through to intellectual property solutions. The company notes that the outsourcing of IT services has evolved into various forms of cooperation for managed services, which have become an integral part of the modern IT landscape. However, there are still persistent myths about the alleged dangers and risks involved. According to CGI, however, they do not stand up to critical scrutiny:

1. Latent dependenciesSince the first outsourcing concepts, the term "vendor lock-in" has made IT managers' foreheads sweat. It describes the dependency on an external service provider from which there is no escape, or only a very expensive one. But as old as this term is, it is also outdated. Exit scenarios are clearly regulated in modern managed services contracts, for example with regard to data portability. They are also designed to be so flexible that any necessary adjustments to changing task profiles can be implemented quickly and jointly. Hybrid models with a clearly defined division of labor between internal IT and the managed services provider (MSP), in which critical IT components remain within the company, are also a proven means of combating dependencies.
2. Loss of control and managementIn the past, problems often arose when control functions were outsourced or not adapted to the new distribution of roles. A planned distribution of tasks, in which critical IT areas and the management and coordination of providers remain within the company, removes the fear of losing the ability to control and manage one's own processes. The type of contract design is also decisive here. The service level agreements (SLAs) set out in the contracts define the type and scope of IT services in detail, while clearly regulated escalation mechanisms describe how to deal with deviations. Regular reports and constant insight into the processes also ensure the necessary transparency. In this way, companies always keep the reins in their hands and at the same time benefit from the innovative strength and scaling advantages of external service providers.
3. Loss of internal know-howProbably the least well-founded fear is that of an outflow of internal IT expertise. In fact, the opposite is the case, and for a whole range of reasons. MSPs are not a replacement for the IT department, but an extension of it. Instead, they bring in external expertise which, if set up correctly, does not replace the company's internal know-how, but complements it with expert knowledge and best practices. This ensures a fruitful exchange through regular reviews, workshops and transparent communication channels, expands the knowledge spectrum of the IT department and also relieves it of many operational tasks. This frees up resources, allowing IT departments to concentrate on their core competencies, innovation initiatives and strategic IT planning within the company.
4. Loss of flexibility and agilityThe days when rigid, standardized contracts caused frustration are long gone. Instead, modern SLA models are designed from the outset to be highly adaptable. This makes it possible to react quickly to changing conditions or implement new ideas quickly. In addition, innovation initiatives often come from the MSPs themselves. Their quality results not least from the fact that they are always at the forefront of technological development - they must therefore be geared towards flexibility and agility per se. They are constantly researching and investing in new technologies, be it cloud computing, artificial intelligence or automation tools. Of course, the companies they work with also benefit from this.
5. Security concernsThe closer the cooperation between companies and external service providers, the more important the aspect of confidentiality and security mechanisms regarding the protection of sensitive data and information. The skepticism towards MSPs often overlooks the fact that data protection is in their own best interests. They invest at least as heavily in state-of-the-art security infrastructures and security teams as the companies themselves. Many MSPs have even turned this area of expertise into a business model in its own right and offer superior security solutions in accordance with the strictest compliance standards (ISO 27001 or GDPR, right up to solutions in the field of data protection). Sensitive data is therefore very often better protected by a specialized provider than by an internal solution.

"The myths surrounding managed service providers are the expression of an outdated understanding of IT services," explains Ralf Bauer, President CGI Germany. "Instead, modern managed services are based on the principle of cooperation at eye level. The service provider acts as a trustworthy, strategic partner that contributes its expertise without exerting pressure or taking control. Companies can only benefit from their expertise and the latest technologies they provide, while at the same time setting the direction."

Source: CGI Germany

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used in safety-critical areas, making the trustworthiness of these systems ever more important. Inadequately evaluated AI systems can cause serious social risks - from discriminatory algorithms and physical safety risks to misdiagnosis in a medical context.

Certification scheme as a bridge between technology and regulation

The Centre for Artificial Intelligence (CAI) and the Institute of Applied Mathematics and Physics (IAMP) at the ZHAW School of Engineering are jointly researching this current topic. The result is the "CertAInty" certification scheme, which provides a structured framework for the assessment of AI technologies. "The certification of AI systems by an accredited body increases trust, accelerates acceptance and enables their use in safety-critical applications," explains Ricardo Chavarriaga from the ZHAW School of Engineering. Joanna Weng, who is leading the project together with him, explains: "The CertAInty scheme bridges the gap between the abstract regulatory requirements of the EU AI Act and concrete technical methods for the assessment of AI systems."

Four core aspects of trustworthiness

The certification scheme comprises four central dimensions:

• Reliability: Reliable system performance under different conditions
• Transparency: Traceability of AI decision-making processes
• Autonomy and control: Definition of the degree of human supervision
• Security: Avoidance of undesirable consequences in critical areas of application, for example in healthcare or autonomous transportation systems

For the reliability dimension, for example, an optimized selection was identified and validated from over 55 metrics and 95 methods. "Our certification scheme now offers a practicable methodology and a pragmatic basis for developers, companies and regulatory authorities and the responsible use of AI technologies," explains Joanna Weng.

Practical validation

The applicability of the scheme was demonstrated using several real examples, such as the AI-supported detection of construction vehicles using computer vision. The reliability of AI-supported detection was systematically evaluated against interference factors such as weather influences and image distortions.

The project is of particular importance due to the EU AI Act, which came into force on August 1, 2024 and will be fully applicable from August 2, 2026. This regulation will introduce mandatory certification for high-risk AI systems that covers precisely the dimensions addressed by CertAInty. An extended transition period until August 2, 2027 applies to high-risk AI systems embedded in regulated products. A regulatory regime is also expected in Switzerland in the near future. In addition, Swiss companies that sell their products in the EU must comply with the requirements of the EU AI Act. "The project anticipates the emerging regulatory framework and provides a methodical bridge between the requirements and practical implementation," emphasizes Chavarriaga.

The company CertX now uses the certification scheme as the basis for its services and offers a systematic and independent assessment of AI solutions in Switzerland. The results of the project were also presented at various conferences, including the Swiss Conference on Data Science 2024, where the team from the ZHAW School of Engineering won the Best Paper Award has won.

Being a leader in AI ethics assessment

For interested specialists from industry and academia, the ZHAW is offering the first multi-day course on AI assessment in May in collaboration with the IEEE Standards Association: "IEEE CertifAIEd™ Assessor Training" to.

Source and further information: www.zhaw.ch

Ethical innovation is becoming increasingly important. Ethical innovation describes the ability of companies to integrate values and principles into their business models and at the same time further develop their competitiveness. It is not just about complying with legal requirements, but actively making a positive contribution to society. This is what Werner von Allmen, CEO of the Swiss Excellence Forum, writes in the introduction to the conference brochure. Ethical behavior can not only be understood as a moral duty, but also brings other tangible benefits, von Allmen continues. Companies that are aware of their responsibility and actively assume it also enjoy a higher level of trust and loyalty among customers, employees and investors, which leads to a competitive advantage in the long term.

Renowned speakers - and visionaries

This year's program of the Future Leadership Forum on 7 May 2025 is also to be understood in this sense. Thomas Schori, founder and CEO of Tide Ocean SA, will present his company's innovative 3-pillar ethics program. Philosopher and publicist Isolde Charim will speak via online link about the paradoxes of today's economy. Philipp von Michaelis, CEO Global Clearance Solutions AG, and his company are committed to security and the restoration of habitats worldwide - including through the removal of landmines. In his presentation, he will introduce these activities and then talk about moral compasses and sustainable leadership in the subsequent panel discussion together with Mirjam Brach, Managing Director of Schweizer Paraplegiker Forschung AG and Prof. Dr. Michael Hengarter, President of the ETH Board.

Swiss Ethics Award 2025: The nominees

The Swiss Ethics Award will also be presented as part of the Future Leadership Forum. A jury has nominated five outstanding projects for the Swiss Ethics Award 2025 that stand out for their ethical responsibility and innovative strength:

• 1001 Organic - The Honest Flavor. The company stands for first-class spices directly from Zanzibar and for ethical trade with local spice farmers.
• E. Schellenberg Textildruck AG: Innovative technologies for sustainable textile production
• Lonza Group AG: Responsible procurement
• Max Felchlin AG: Healthcare at the origin of cocoa
• mymyio GmbH: CircularOffice - Revolution through circular economy

The Swiss Ethics Award recognizes ethical projects in business. All of these projects are examples of how companies assume responsibility in a special way and are committed to sustainable and value-oriented corporate management.

Further information and registration for the event: https://www.swiss-excellence-forum.ch/de/events/swiss-ethics-award-2025

New AI, cloud and IT solutions are constantly coming onto the market. However, companies need to plan carefully how they want to use these innovations. Unisys recently announced the Top IT Insights that will determine the future of new technologies. These insights illustrate the short-term potential of new technologies and show how managers can use them for long-term growth.

1. natural language is playing an increasingly important role in the interaction between AI and humans

The focus is shifting from training people to use AI to teaching AI to understand people. This is a significant change that will enable companies to use conversational approaches when interacting with AI tools. There will also be more voice and gesture-based interfaces that make AI more intuitive and accessible across devices.

2. small language models and edge computing are the next stage of development

Contrary to the motto "bigger is better", smaller specialized AI models in business applications are often more efficient than large ones. To ensure the right AI-powered models are used, organizations should identify when fast, local AI processing is required and when edge computing solutions are needed to protect sensitive data. Edge deployment, for example, can reduce the organization's costs while improving security and latency. These solutions provide more accurate outcomes for organizations to meet their unique requirements.

3. the hybrid cloud is on the rise

The cloud-first era is changing as rising costs are causing companies to re-evaluate the benefits of on-premises solutions. The focus is on the comparison between cloud costs and business value. Decisions need to be made as to which workloads should be operated locally and which in the cloud. Clear criteria for future migration decisions are becoming more important, while strategic infrastructure management and in-depth expertise are becoming increasingly important in the face of rising cloud costs.

4 Post-quantum cryptography: from theory to practice

Data stolen today could be decrypted by quantum computers tomorrow, which is why quantum-safe encryption is necessary. It is important to start implementing post-quantum cryptography standards, identify systems that need quantum-safe encryption, and create timelines for cryptography updates.

5. young professionals are the role model for an AI-supported workforce

Younger employees are "digital natives" and are often more comfortable with new technologies such as AI. It is important to continue hiring entry-level employees to attract digital talent, develop AI training programs and create mentoring opportunities that encourage the adoption and use of this technology. Success comes from combining new perspectives with proven expertise. Young talent is critical to continued growth.

6 The sweet spot for hybrid work is three days

The ideal office schedule is neither fully mobile nor fully present, but includes three days of presence. Hybrid work schedules should be structured around these three office days, designing spaces for collaboration and increasing virtual integration tools. A balance between face-to-face interaction and flexible remote working is crucial to optimize productivity and employee retention. Office spaces should be redesigned to maximize collaboration on in-person days.

7 Energy-efficient AI becomes a competitive advantage

Digitalization, rapid advances in AI technology and slow improvements in energy efficiency have significantly increased the demand for data centers, which has a significant impact on global energy markets. The demand for data centers in Europe will continue to increase. According to a recent Study the demand for data centers in Europe will increase to around 35 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, compared to 10 GW today. To meet this new IT demand, investments of more than 250 to 300 billion US dollars will be needed in data center infrastructure to meet this demand. However, the increasing energy consumption of AI could become a significant burden if efficiency is not improved. It is important to measure the energy consumption of AI, research efficient model architectures and consider sustainability when making decisions about AI deployment. With rising IT costs and energy requirements, efficiency is critical.

8 Global standards will shape the future of AI compliance

Companies need to localize AI operations to meet regional data requirements, bucking the trend towards cloud globalization. AI governance frameworks need to be implemented, regional data sovereignty requirements considered and clear employee guidelines for AI usage established. Robust compliance strategies are required due to varying global regulations. A flexible, region-specific approach to AI governance and data management is required.

Conclusion: clear technological vision required

These eight insights show that technological developments require both short-term action and long-term strategies. Companies are facing a crucial phase in which AI is becoming increasingly intuitive, IT architectures are becoming more complex and working models are evolving. These changes bring both opportunities and challenges.

The right balance between innovation and stability is important. If companies act too hesitantly, they risk being left behind. However, if they act too quickly and without careful planning, they risk their future viability. A clear technological vision and the ability to respond flexibly to change are crucial to future success in the dynamic business world.

With around 130,000 members, the Association of German Engineers (VDI e.V.) forms a multidisciplinary network that helps to shape and influence pioneering developments. As an important German technical regulator, the association pools expertise and makes an important contribution to ensuring progress and prosperity. The association, which is also known internationally, is active throughout Germany, at regional and local level, in state associations and district associations. The foundation is formed by around 10,000 volunteer experts who contribute their knowledge and experience - including in regularly published guidelines.

One such guideline, VDI 3405 Sheet 5.1, has now also been published on the topic of "additive manufacturing" (e.g. 3D printing). The guideline is aimed at all stakeholders in additive manufacturing - from suppliers of additive manufacturing systems to design engineers and manufacturing service providers to lawyers who deal with the specific challenges of a digitalized manufacturing chain. It includes basic information on the sequence of process chains, quality management, as well as contractual and liability law specifics.

The guideline is also based on an explanatory presentation of the process chain and the associated data formats and types. This basic information and the detailed specialist knowledge promote cooperation between lawyers and technicians in equal measure: Lawyers gain the necessary technical understanding to assess the legal relevance of individual production steps, while technicians, planners, designers and service providers are enabled to gain an overview of the legal scope of their projects and to draft legally compliant contracts. Overall, the guideline is essential to meet the challenges of additive manufacturing.

The directive VDI 3405 Sheet 5.1 "Additive manufacturing processes - Legal aspects of the process chain" was published in March 2025 by the VDI Society for Production and Logistics (GPL) and is available for €153.50 from DIN Media available.

Cybercrime is a growing risk in Switzerland. The latest figures from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO): In 2024, 59,034 crimes involving digital crimes were registered, more than doubling since 2020. Cybercrime accounts for over 90 %, including hacking, fraud on classified ad platforms and phishing - risks to which online platforms are inherently exposed.

The SMG Swiss Marketplace Group is responding to this development and considers itself responsible. That is why it invests millions every year in state-of-the-art security technologies, prevention work and user education.

SMG with integrated security architecture on several levels

SMG relies on a security strategy that combines technology, prevention and cooperation with authorities and specialist alliances. These include:

• Digital identity & login: Introduction of passwordless login and adaptive multi-factor authentication (MFA) on several platforms. Ricardo is one of the pioneers in Europe with "Smart Push MFA".
• Risk-based security approach: Decisions are based on rule-based, increasingly AI-supported assessments for context-related security, depending on the action and user behavior.
• Cross-platform collaboration: Insights and security solutions are used across platforms to provide maximum protection across the entire network.
• Verification by means of Know-Your-Customer (KYC): Semi-automated identity verification; now fully autonomous on the General Marketplaces.
• Close collaboration with law enforcement authorities: Including an automated portal that considerably speeds up the exchange with authorities.
• Commitment to standards: Memberships of digitalswitzerland and the FIDO Alliance underline the commitment to digital security at national and international level.

Phishing and prevention: raising awareness is key

Phishing remains a popular gateway for fraudsters - often via deceptively genuine websites, for example for fake parcel services or payment portals. According to the FSO, the number of such attacks rose by 56.2 % in 2024. The "antiphishing.ch" platform even recorded over 975,000 suspicious activity reportsThis enabled 20,872 phishing websites to be identified (+108 % compared to the previous year). In around two thirds of cases, Swiss brand names, including Ricardo, were misused.

SMG has its own process for the rapid removal of fraudulent websites. Nevertheless, it is not technically possible to completely prevent phishing attacks. SMG therefore relies on targeted user education - with campaigns, platform information, FAQs, social media, newsletters and blog posts. In addition, SMG is conducting national awareness campaigns together with Swiss Crime Prevention (SCP) to draw attention to the risks of classified ad fraud.

SMG also promotes security awareness among its employees: An open security culture is established with the annual "Cybersecurity Month", ongoing internal training and a bug bounty program that also rewards external tips.

Maximum security when buying second-hand

Since 2024, the Ricardo platform has offered an additional, optional security function with "MoneyGuard". This makes private online transactions even more secure and trustworthy, which promotes sustainable trade in second-hand products. MoneyGuard protects buyers and sellers alike: Payments are made before shipping, but are only released once receipt and quality of the goods have been confirmed - protecting against forms of fraud such as non-delivery, non-payment or wildly differing product descriptions. Thanks to all security measures, including MoneyGuard, the fraud rate on Ricardo was reduced to less than 0.3 % of all transactions in 2024.

Digital security remains the focus of SMG

The threat situation in the digital space will remain dynamic in the future. The actual number of cyber fraud cases is also likely to be far higher than the figures reported by the FSO. For SMG, digital security is therefore an ongoing task with the highest priority. Protection mechanisms will continue to be developed on an ongoing basis, rolled out across platforms and invested in raising awareness among users and employees.

Source: Swiss Marketplace Group

March 26, 2025 was International Data Center Day. It reminds us of the indispensable, but mostly invisible, role that data centers play in the development of innovations that shape our modern lives. Data centers are far more than just "warehouses filled with servers"; they are the backbone of countless advances, including AI-powered solutions, that we encounter every day: from accelerating breakthroughs in research to facilitating lightning-fast financial transactions, from online gaming and streaming to social media and cloud storage, data centers are central.

The emergence of generative AI, real-time analytics and hyper-connectivity is not only transforming industries, but also redefining how we live, work and tackle global challenges. Data centers are at the heart of this transformation, serving as the engines for processing, storing and securing the data that drives progress. For this reason, the data center industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with $734 billion of investment announced in 2024 and 2025 by 20 leading data center companies (source generation.org).

Here in Switzerland, we are continuously investing in our five IBX data centers (three in Zurich and two in Geneva). The sixth expansion phase is already underway at the ZH4 data center in the heart of Zurich to meet the ever-increasing demand for connectivity. The expansion is scheduled for completion in 2027. In Geneva, the GV1 data center has undergone further technological development and uses water from Lake Geneva for cooling.

The data center industry is at the forefront of the digital revolution. At Equinix, we are growing our data centers sustainably and are committed to a new generation of data center workers who will help keep the world connected. Together, we are shaping a future where technology is used for the common good, laying the foundation for shared progress.

International Data Center Day is about raising awareness of the data center industry and encouraging the next generation of talent to enter the industry.

Further information: https://www.equinix.com/de/de/