Bern is the new cyber capital of Switzerland

Not a day goes by without being confronted with the topic of cybercrime. Whether attacks on SMEs, administrations, operators of critical infrastructures, research institutions or private individuals: The frequency of cyberattacks has exploded in recent years; the extent of damage is reaching worrying dimensions. In 2020, the increase in ransomware attacks alone was 435% compared to the previous year. In 2022, global cybercrime caused about 30 times more damage than all natural disasters combined in the same year. Data-based assumptions put the extent of damage in 2027 at around CHF 24 trillion. That is more than the gross domestic product of the USA.

As the world's most innovative country, Switzerland is significantly affected by cybercrime and cyberespionage. This is not only a major threat to our competitiveness, attacks by state and highly professionalized non-state hacker groups also threaten national security and the basic tenets of our democracy. For example, by orchestrating and manipulating the shaping of public opinion in the context of democratic elections. The sharp increase in the area of cybercrime is due to the unmanageable digital hyperconnectivity of our globalized world. There is a lack of understanding of the effects that the interdependencies, interactions, spheres of influence and functioning of technical systems have on our lives.

The national platform for cyber competence comes to Bern

The Swiss Cyber Security Days SCSD, which claims to be the leading dialog and know-how platform of the
Switzerland in the field of cyber security, are already taking place for the fifth time. The combination of high-ranking national and international speakers, current geopolitical developments, socially relevant focus dialogs, the presentation of current findings from research and a trade fair are ideal for Swiss Cyber Security Days to bridge the knowledge gaps between people, society, business and technology.

Together with the organizer BERNEXPO, Nicolas Mayencourt, Program Director of the Swiss Cyber Security Days SCSD brings the national reference platform for cybersecurity to Bern for the first time. "As a native of Bern, it makes me proud to make the federal capital the cyber capital of Switzerland," says Nicolas Mayencourt. "Bern is the perfect location thanks to its proximity to politics and administration. The topic of cyber is of central importance for Switzerland. I am therefore very much looking forward to discussing new opportunities and solutions in Bern in order to build a digitally empowered society." Tom Winter, CEO of BERNEXPO, is also pleased about the event with international appeal: "The topic of cyber security is of great social relevance. The SCSD are therefore a very good fit for us and complement the BERNEXPO event portfolio wonderfully." The two-day event will take place on September 20 and 21, 2023, during the fall session at the BERNEXPO site.

SCSD makes Bern the "cyber capital" of trade fairs

The international and national appeal of the SCSD will help the canton to further expand its position as a nationally important trade fair and event location. "This is good news" said city president Alec von Graffenried. "I think it is right and important,
that these problems are negotiated in Bern, in close proximity to the politicians and administrators who are directly affected. This allows our locational advantages to take full effect." The new event also holds opportunities from the canton's point of view. "Bern is easily accessible from all parts of Switzerland and internationally connected. In addition, the topic is of the greatest social and economic importance," says cantonal economic director and government councilor Christoph Ammann (SP).

Source: Swiss Cyber Security Days