Although colossal, these amounts represent only a fraction of the dangers that the world could face in the years to come. Artificially created shortages in energy or food, for example, could reveal the vulnerability of many states and have an immense impact on their security. Their sovereignty itself could be called into question by a few actors determined to challenge the rule of law and establish their domination by any means necessary. This type of large-scale attacks could profoundly change societies by destabilising or even destroying their value chains.
This doomsday scenario is not the product of the imagination of television series writers. Unfortunately, it appears increasingly realistic and is largely the result of a lack of responsiveness at a global level in view of the numerous undesirable developments that have been observed for years in the various phases of digital change.
This gloomy picture prompted several Swiss personalities from a variety of professional backgrounds to set up the digiVolution Foundation for digital mutation and cybersecurity just three years ago.
The activities of digiVolution
Two distinct entities are united under the name digiVolution: a foundation and think tank on the one hand and a company on the other. The aim of the first entity is to understand current challenges, relay its observations as widely as possible and propose solutions. It works to raise awareness of the challenges of digital mutation among political, economic and academic bodies by offering them analysis, advice, training and support. Through presentations, interviews, and the publication of articles, it strives to disseminate accurate and professional information to as many people as possible. A veritable observatory of the digital world, it has to date documented and analysed dozens of significant events in the digital transformation, which are reflected in more than 90 newsletters published since its creation.
The second entity, dVCyberGroup, works to implement the solutions proposed by the Foundation on behalf of and in accordance with it’s values. It provides support in the strategic assessment of organisations or companies in the face of cyber risks, in the development of their cybersecurity strategy and assists them in implementing the projects defined by crisis management. As soon as the conditions are right, it plans to deploy a militia force, whose mission will be to disseminate the principles of cyber hygiene to the general public, to recruit new IT talent that the Swiss economy is increasingly lacking, and to gather the public’s experiences and concrete needs in order to better define training initiatives for players in this field.
Raising awareness among decision-makers
In Switzerland, the threats to production companies, among others, still often are underestimated. Yet they are very real, and their aim is not just to temporarily paralyse a particular department, but to sabotage the very existence of a company, or indeed the entire production and sales chain to which it is involved. A brief remote intrusion into the programme of a CNC machine, for example, can imperceptibly modify the machining data transmitted to it, effectively sending part of the production to the scrap heap. Financial losses and reputational damage are the first consequences for a company that falls victim to this kind of attack. But such a situation can also affect entire industries, leading to supply disruptions with serious consequences for strategic components.
Even when these various threats are correctly identified, they are unfortunately often dealt with from a purely technical perspective. As a rule, the company’s IT department is tasked with setting up a good firewall, and it is often mistakenly believed that this is the end of the matter. However, risk management is first and foremost a strategic issue. Anticipation, which is absolutely essential in today’s digital world, is an indispensable component of any medium- and long-term vision and is the responsibility of the management bodies. This is where digiVolution intends to get its message across.
To achieve this, the Foundation has decided to hold regular meetings with decision-makers as part of the Swiss CyberHub (CHub). Around ten events across the country are already planned for 2024. The half-day events will consist of two blocks of short, to-the-point presentations, the first addressing the current situation, the second proposing solutions, interspersed with a break for networking and exchanging experience. By focusing on risk management rather than technology, the Foundation has set itself clear objectives: to ensure that all participants leave the event having learned something immediately useful in their professional and personal environment.
The first event will take place on 18 January 2024 in Delémont. Information and registration at www.swisscyberhub.ch or www.digivolution.swiss
