Figures revealed by the National Centre for Cyber Security have shown that cybercrime incidents in Switzerland are on the rise. The Swiss government has issued a warning to internet users across the country, as more than 13.000 cyberattacks have already been reported since the beginning of 2023.
Amongst the victims of Swiss cyber attacks in 2023 are a number of big names. Swiss public transport provider Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and sewing machine manufacturer Bernina were targeted in recent attacks, alongside a huge ransomware attack which targeted a number of Swiss media firms including the NZZ and CH Media group. Hackers have also recently published data from the Education Department in Basel and the municipality of Saxon in Canton Valais.
In 2020, the country suffered a reported 10.833 cyber attacks, with the number having tripled to 34.527 just two years later in 2022. Now, in the first few months of 2023, the National Centre for Cyber Security in Switzerland has reported 13.290 cyber attacks on Swiss-based targets, already surpassing the number reported for the entirety of 2020.
While many large companies in Switzerland have reported cyber attacks, most victims of cybercrime are private individuals. Many of these people are targeted for extortion through fake emails from people posing as law enforcement and other forms of cyber fraud.
The hacking of social media accounts has also become prevalent, with cybercriminals using the hacked accounts to spam social media feeds with fake Bitcoin investment opportunities. At the moment, there is no obligation to report cyberattacks in Switzerland, but from next year, the Centre of Cyber Security will boost its prominence by becoming an independent federal office within the Department for Defence, Civil Protection and Sport.
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