Swiss Federal Office for Cybersecurity Set to Receive a Major Budget Increase

The Swiss Federal Office for Cybersecurity (BACS) is on track to receive a significant budget increase as a response to rising cyber threats. This increase is proposed through two identical motions submitted by National Councillor Gerhard Andrey (Greens/FR) and Councillor of States Werner Salzmann (SVP/BE). These motions, titled “Sufficient Means for Civilian Cybersecurity,” have gained support across all political parties.

If approved, the budget for BACS in 2026 would rise from the current 16.3 million francs to 26.3 million euros. For the following years, the budget would increase from 16.4 million francs to 31.4 million euros annually.

Why Is This Budget Increase Necessary?

The need for additional funding arises from:

• The growing number of sophisticated cyberattacks on Swiss infrastructure.
• New legal obligations, including the requirement to report cyber incidents under the revised Information Security Act.
• The inadequate current budget to support the increasing responsibilities of Bacs.

A Concern That Isn’t New

The demand for stronger cybersecurity measures is not new. Experts and politicians have long warned that the rapid evolution of cyber threats requires urgent action. However, despite recognizing these risks, funding for Bacs has remained stagnant.

Initially, the National Council’s Financial Commission proposed higher cybersecurity funding in the 2025 budget draft. However, this increase was later removed due to broader financial concerns. The latest motion aims to reinstate the funding and ensure that Switzerland’s cyber defenses keep pace with emerging threats.

How Will the Additional Funds Be Allocated?

Budget Reallocation from the Army’s IT Fund

Rather than requesting new government funds, the motion proposes to reallocate money from the Swiss Army’s IT budget.

According to Gerhard Andrey, the army already manages a billion-dollar IT portfolio, with numerous overlapping projects. Financial audits have highlighted areas where spending can be optimized, creating room to fund Bacs without additional government expenditure.

Werner Salzmann also supports this approach, emphasizing that strengthening civilian cybersecurity won’t weaken the army’s cyber defense capabilities. He explains that both sectors must work together to protect Switzerland’s critical infrastructure.

The Future of Cybersecurity in Switzerland

Strong Political Support for the Motion

According to National Councillor Andrey, Switzerland must recognize the importance of civilian cybersecurity. He describes Bacs as an agency that is already doing great work with very limited resources and argues that it must be strengthened.

The motion has strong backing from the parliamentary Cybersecurity Committee, which includes representatives from all major political parties. Given this broad support, the chances of the budget increase being approved are very high.

Werner Salzmann, former President of the Security Policy Commission of the Council of States, also believes the motion is likely to succeed. He highlights the urgent need for better funding, stressing that cyber threats are evolving too quickly for Switzerland to remain underprepared.

Strengthening Switzerland’s Cyber Defenses

With cyberattacks becoming more frequent and sophisticated, ensuring adequate cybersecurity funding is crucial for national security, economic stability, and public safety. If approved, the new budget will equip Bacs with the resources it needs to defend Switzerland from digital threats, securing the country’s future in an increasingly connected world.