Federal Council plans crisis-proof communication system

On Wednesday, the Federal Council sent a message to parliament on a commitment credit of this size. Exercises had shown that the current communication systems have shortcomings. In the event of a power shortage, the systems would fail or be significantly limited. In addition, the possibility of an overall representation with situation picture is missing. With the new national data network system, the Federal Council now wants to reduce these deficits.

In the event of a disaster or emergency, the system is to ensure telecommunications and broadband data exchange between partners in civil protection. The system would also be used for security-related applications in normal situations. The system would connect federal and cantonal command bodies and security authorities, the operations centers of the cantonal police forces and other emergency organizations, the armed forces and operators of critical infrastructures.

With overall situation picture

The national situational awareness system is also to be integrated into the data network system. The Federal Council writes that this would allow the various situation picture systems currently in use to be linked so that an overall picture of the situation would be available. Thanks to an emergency power supply for the entire network infrastructure, the system would also function for at least 14 days in the event of a power failure. By isolating it from all other networks - the Internet, for example - protection against cyberattacks is to be increased. The data interconnection system would provide broadband connectivity to approximately 120 user sites. For this purpose, existing infrastructures would be used, the Federal Council writes. New fiber optic lines will only be built if the connection of user sites is not possible with existing infrastructures.

Thirty full-time positions

The Federal Council is proposing to Parliament a commitment credit of 150 million Swiss francs for the period 2020 to 2027 to implement the system. The commitment credit is to be released in three stages. With the approval of the commitment credit, Parliament is to release 14.7 million Swiss francs for the first stage. The Federal Council is to decide on the release of the funds for the second stage, amounting to 83.6 million Swiss francs, and the funds for the third stage, amounting to 51.7 million Swiss francs, based on the progress of the project. According to the Federal Council, a total of around thirty full-time positions will be required in the Defense Department (DDPS) during the project phase. Fifteen positions are to be compensated within the department. Of the 15 new positions, ten will be required permanently for regular operations from 2028.

No consultation

The Federal Office for Civil Protection (Babs) is responsible for overall coordination and the project. The Armed Forces Command Support Organisation, the IT service provider in the DDPS, is responsible for technical operation. The rules on responsibilities and financing between the federal government, the cantons and third parties are contained in the dispatch on the total revision of the Civil Protection Act, which the Federal Council also approved on Wednesday. The Federal Council has waived a consultation on the data network system - although it is a project of great financial significance, as it writes in the message. The Federal Council justifies its decision by stating that extensive consultations on the systems have been carried out. The relevant bodies were consulted as part of a report on the future of telecommunications systems in civil protection. The comments had shown that the secure data network system, the replacement of the outdated Vulpus reporting system and the creation of a situation network system were of the highest priority. (SDA)