Béat Kunz, co-founder of Swiss Cyber Security Days

Three questions to Béat Kunz, co-founder of Swiss Cyber Security Days

As the creator and co-founder of Swiss Cyber Security Days, can you explain how it has become the cybersecurity event in Switzerland since it was launched in 2019?

We noticed that there was no national platform in Switzerland that brought together experts in this field and focused on the latest insights and emerging cybersecurity challenges. Tackling these challenges required close and intensive cooperation between all concerned, especially since the pandemic has accelerated digital transformation and the cybercrime risk. The proposal was credible, innovative and persuasive, so everyone got on board.

Why Fribourg?

One of the first questions we had to resolve was the venue. Bearing in mind that we wanted the event to be national in reach, Fribourg was ideal because it is halfway between Switzerland’s two centers of IT security expertise: the regions of Zurich and Lake Geneva. It has the added advantage of being bilingual. Also, the political authorities were very supportive, not to mention the fact that Fribourg has its own considerable cybersecurity resources.

What are they?

ROSAS, the center of scientific excellence, is an important player. There is also CertX (Ed.: a ROSAS spin-off and the first functional safety and cybersecurity certification body in Switzerland), and a host of cutting-edge firms like CISEL, eb-Qual, Softcom and Verisign. Fribourg can draw on a deep well of exceptional expertise.