Executive Summary

The Director of the Swiss Federal Office for Cybersecurity (BACS), Florian Schütz, is traveling to Japan to consolidate strategic partnerships in the field of cybersecurity. This initiative underscores the growing importance of international cooperation in the face of increasing geopolitical tensions and hybrid threats. The trip focuses particularly on redefining public-private partnerships to protect critical infrastructure – a key issue for strengthening Switzerland's cyber resilience and technological sovereignty.

Critical Guiding Questions

  1. To what extent can enhanced international cybersecurity cooperation preserve or endanger Switzerland's digital sovereignty?
  2. What role should private companies play in protecting critical infrastructure, and where are the limits of state responsibility?
  3. How can a democratic country like Switzerland engage in meaningful cybersecurity cooperation with different political systems without compromising its own values?

Scenario Analysis: Future Perspectives

Short-term (1 year): Establishment of concrete bilateral cooperation mechanisms between Switzerland and Japan, leading to faster information exchange on cyber threats and enabling initial joint training and simulation exercises.

Medium-term (5 years): Development of an international framework for public-private partnerships in the cybersecurity sector with a focus on critical infrastructure, which could serve as a model for further international cooperation.

Long-term (10-20 years): Emergence of a stable multilateral cybersecurity regime that provides resilient structures against cyber attacks while maintaining a balance between security interests and democratic freedoms.

Main Summary

Core Topic & Context

Florian Schütz, Director of BACS, is visiting Japan from December 1-3, 2025, to advance international cybersecurity cooperation. The visit takes place in an environment of increasing hybrid threats and geopolitical tensions, where multilateral approaches are becoming increasingly important.

Key Facts & Figures

  • Three-day visit (December 1-3, 2025) to Japan
  • Participation in the "Munich Cyber Security Conference (MCSC) Tokyo Sessions"
  • Roundtable discussions under Chatham House Rules
  • Meetings with the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)
  • Participation of representatives from government, security authorities, industry, and academia from three continents

Stakeholders & Affected Parties

  • Swiss Federal Office for Cybersecurity (BACS)
  • Japanese government agencies, especially the MIC
  • International cybersecurity experts from Asia, Europe, and North America
  • Private companies focused on critical infrastructure
  • Indirectly: Citizens and organizations that would benefit from improved cyber resilience

Opportunities & Risks

Opportunities:

  • Strengthening Switzerland's international position in the cybersecurity field
  • Access to best practices and early warning systems for cyber threats
  • Development of innovative public-private partnership models to protect critical infrastructure

Risks:

  • Complex balancing of interests between security requirements and privacy
  • Potential dependencies on foreign security technologies
  • Challenges in harmonizing different regulatory approaches

Action Relevance

Executives in security-relevant industries should closely follow the conference outcomes, as they could have direct implications for future regulatory requirements and cooperation models. The increasing interconnection of state and private security interests requires proactive positioning and strategic preparation for new partnerships in the cybersecurity sector.

References

Primary source: Florian Schütz, Director of BACS, visits Japan for high-level cybersecurity talks

Verification status: ✅ Facts based on the official federal press release