This report examines the alarming rate at which cybercrime is increasing in Switzerland. It also highlights the ethical dilemma and the challenges faced by the Swiss government in increasing cybersecurity.
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<img src="/icons/arrow-right_purple.svg" alt="/icons/arrow-right_purple.svg" width="40px" /> Why Switzerland
Source: UnSplash
Source: UnSplash
Switzerland stood out among other countries while I was selecting a country for this project (Swiss Federal Council 2021). Switzerland has a long and distinguished history of being a world leader in cyber security, but there has been a huge shift in this scene recently, with an alarming increase in cybercrime (National Cyber Security Centre 2020). As a result, Switzerland is currently at the forefront of the battle against cybercrime, using a proactive and all-encompassing approach to secure the country's security (Swiss Federal Council 2021). This is why I chose Switzerland as the focal point of my project.
The surge in cybercrime in Switzerland reflects the times we live in, as more people rely on technology in their daily lives, and the need for greater security is critical (National Cyber Security Centre 2020). It is essential that we understand the risks so that we can take the required precautions to protect ourselves and our data. Switzerland is taking the necessary steps to protect its residents and businesses from cybercrime, something that all countries should strive towards (Swiss Federal Council 2021). I feel that by analyzing the cybercrime situation in Switzerland, I will gain significant insights that would allow me to expand my understanding about the ethical dilemma and the challenges faced by the Swiss government.
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Switzerland has been the target of a growing number of cyberattacks, the vast majority of which have been discovered and stopped before they have had a chance to inflict considerable damage (Dyne 2022). Hackers used ransomware to try to extort money from Swissport in February 2022 (Dyne 2022). Swissport is the largest airport ground services and freight handling company in the world. In January 2022, Swiss Federal Railways was the target of an attack that was quite similar to the one described above (Dyne 2022). In addition, numerous municipalities, communities, and educational institutions all around the country have been the targets of cyberattacks (Dyne 2022).
One of the most concerning examples of cybercrime to ever occur in Switzerland was the attack in 2014 that was carried out against the Swiss defence contractor Ruag (Willi 2018). It took over two years before anyone discovered the attack, despite the fact that it was eventually located (Willi 2018). The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) was founded in 2019 by the Swiss government in response to the growing demand for security against cybercrime (Rossbach et al. 2016). The NCSC's primary responsibilities are to coordinate the nation's cyber defences and serve as a central reporting center for cyberattacks (Rossbach et al. 2016). In addition, the administration has recently proposed a strategy to move the National Counterintelligence and Security Center from its current site under the finance ministry to a facility under the defense ministry, and to enhance it to the status of a full federal agency (Willi 2018).
Switzerland’s Emphasis Towards Privacy
The European Union is one of the world leaders in cyber security. Countries like Sweden and Finland are the pioneers in the cybersecurity industry (European Commission 2021).Although Switzerland is not a member of the EU, it maintains close ties with the bloc and often aligns its policies with those of the EU (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs 2020). As such, Switzerland is likely to follow EU's policies on cybersecurity and cyber governance to some extent. Apart from that, Switzerland has its own policies about cyberspace, which are tailored to the country's specific needs and circumstances (Swiss Federal Council 2021). This combination of EU influence and independent policymaking allows Switzerland to effectively address cybersecurity challenges and maintain a strong position in the global cybersecurity landscape.
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Learning more about Switzerland
We can learn more about Switzerland by learning more about the laws and legislations which have been passed in the cyberspace. More importantly learning from my peers would allow me to gain their feedback.
Environment Consciousness is a core value in Switzerland and help explains their cultural background and identity. It does not directly relate to the Ethical Dilemma. But, it is an important aspect as it provides us with a broader perspective.
Consciousness of one's impact on the environment: Switzerland is famous for the natural beauty of its landscape, and its citizens are dedicated to ensuring that this beauty is maintained for future generations (Willi 2018). In Switzerland, environmental consciousness has evolved as a defining characteristic of the nation's sociocultural fabric, reflecting the country's longstanding commitment to sustainable living and environmental stewardship (Hofer 2013). Several factors, including robust public education campaigns, stringent environmental regulations, and a strong emphasis on the precautionary principle, have contributed to this increased awareness (Rossbach et al. 2016). The pro-environmental attitudes of the Swiss populace manifest themselves in numerous aspects of daily life, including refuse management, energy consumption, and transportation choices, as well as support for green technologies and sustainable agricultural and industrial practices (Hofer 2013). Nonetheless, it is essential to recognize that this heightened environmental awareness does not come without obstacles, as it occasionally conflicts with economic development and international competitiveness (Willi 2018). However, Switzerland's commitment to ecological responsibility serves as a compelling example for other nations attempting to establish a balance between environmental protection and economic prosperity (Rossbach et al. 2016).
Swiss Neutrality and Direct Democracy directly relate to the Ethical Dilemma and the Ethical Theories presented in the case study and explains the core aspect of the case study.
Neutrality: Switzerland is a country that encourages nations to live together in peace and maintains its neutrality (Bieri 2015). Since the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Switzerland has maintained a policy of non-participation in military alliances as a component of its neutrality, which serves as a cornerstone of the country's foreign policy (Höppli 2014). The nation has garnered worldwide respect and a reputation for stability as a result of this attitude (Malo 2016); nonetheless, it is vital to investigate its consequences in light of the fast shifting geopolitical scene of today (Reybrouck 2017). The Swiss model has unquestionably contributed to the development of a wealthy and secure environment for the country's residents (Bieri 2015).
Direct democracy: The Swiss people have a high level of political engagement and are directly involved in the decision-making process through a variety of direct democracy techniques (Stojanovic 2015). The pioneering and deeply ingrained political system in Switzerland known as Swiss direct democracy has long been praised as an excellent example of citizen participation and self-governance (Linder 2016). Its distinctive structure, which blends representative democracy with periodical referenda and citizen-initiated constitutional revisions, encourages a culture of active political engagement and bolsters the principle of subsidiarity in government (Church and Vatter 2015). Yet, despite the fact that it has been given credit for generating political stability, social cohesiveness, and responsiveness to public opinion (Stojanovic 2015). The Swiss people have a reputation for being punctual, and keeping to schedules is an essential part of Swiss society (Schneider 2017).
The various ethical theories applicable to Switzerland are as follows:
**Virtue Theory:**Virtue ethics is a branch of ethics that places an emphasis on the significance of cultivating moral character attributes such as honesty, courage, and compassion in individuals. The virtues of honesty, promptness, and environmental stewardship are highly prized in Swiss society, which places a strong emphasis on these characteristics (Swiss Government 2022). Moreover, in the context of Swiss culture, the applicability of Virtue Theory is evident in the country's emphasis on collective responsibility, civic engagement, and cooperative ethos (Hofer 2013). The deeply ingrained Swiss values of neutrality, compromise, and pragmatism reflect virtues such as temperance, wisdom, and justice, which are central to the philosophy (Hursthouse 2010). The social contract hypothesis contends that the legitimacy of the state and its laws can be traced back to a social contract that was established between its citizens and its governing body (Rousseau 1762).
Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that places an emphasis on enhancing the general happiness and well-being of a society as a whole (Mill 1861). The commitment of Switzerland to environmental conservation and sustainable development is in line with the utilitarian approach of striking a balance between the protection of natural resources and the acceleration of economic growth (Gutmann and Thompson 2017). In several aspects of Swiss culture and political systems, the utilitarian perspective, which strives to maximize overall happiness and minimize suffering for the majority, is discernible (Linder 2016). Switzerland also maintains other values, such as autonomy, egalitarianism, and social responsibility, in addition to utilitarianism (Stojanovic 2015). The Swiss system of direct democracy, which is characterized by periodic referendums and grassroots initiatives, emphasizes the significance of individual autonomy and active civic participation (Church and Vatter 2015). Switzerland cultivates an environment that respects individual choices while nurturing collective decision-making by empowering its citizens to shape public policy (Linder 2016). In addition, Swiss society places a strong emphasis on social responsibility both domestically and internationally (Knoepfel et al. 2007). Internationally, Switzerland's long-standing neutrality policy enables it to play a crucial role in diplomatic negotiations and humanitarian efforts, further demonstrating its dedication to promoting global welfare and stability (Frey 2014).
