Executive Summary
Switzerland officially launched the preliminary project for the Mobile Security Communications System (MSK) on June 18, 2026. The new system will replace the existing Polycom network by 2035 and ensure secure communication for the federal government, cantons, and operators of critical infrastructure. Federal Councillor Martin Pfister (VBS) and Federal Councillor Beat Jans (EJPD) jointly signed the project initialization mandate with cantonal representatives. The Cyber Command will assume project responsibility from the end of 2025. The preliminary project will develop requirements, solution architecture, financing models, and migration plans.
Persons
- Martin Pfister (Federal Councillor, Head of VBS)
- Beat Jans (Federal Councillor, Head of EJPD)
Topics
- Critical Infrastructure
- Security Communications
- Digital Transformation
- Federalism
Clarus Lead
The MSK project addresses a strategic security gap: with Polycom's end of life in 2035, Switzerland loses a system that is indispensable in everyday situations and crisis scenarios – from cyberattacks to natural disasters. The preliminary project phase must now clarify how a unified, crisis-resilient and failure-proof network can be built across federal boundaries without jeopardizing existing structures. In parallel, the parliamentary message for financing the main project is already underway – a signal that implementation is on a tight timeline.
Detailed Summary
The MSK preliminary project builds on the "Civil Services Co-use" (MzD) project, which enables and hardens the military's use of civilian data networks. This creates synergies between defense and security communications. In the preliminary project, operational scenarios, solution architecture, operational concepts, and service management models will be developed. A proof of concept with core elements of "resilient network" and "collaboration services" is to demonstrate technical feasibility; canton, financing, and scope will be determined in the initialization phase.
Financing coordination between the federal government and cantons takes place in parallel with preliminary project development. The system must be introduced gradually and later be scalable. The "Polycom Value Preservation 2030" project (WEP2030) will be completed in mid-2026 – with Tetrapol technology renewal, base station migration, and modernization of cantonal emergency control centers. Despite a ten-year runtime, WEP2030 records only a six-month delay and maintains the original budget.
Key Statements
- MSK will replace Polycom in 2035 and ensure secure mobile communications for blue-light organizations and critical infrastructure
- Preliminary project runs until approval-ready foundation; main project financing is submitted to Parliament in parallel
- Solution architecture leverages synergies with the civilian network project MzD and is based on resilience and collaboration services
Critical Questions
Evidence/Data Quality: What risk analyses underlie the assumption that Polycom will no longer be operational in 2035? Have technical evaluations of service life extensions been conducted?
Conflicts of Interest: To what extent do supplier interests influence the architectural decision to leverage synergies with the military MzD project?
Causality/Alternatives: Why was a federal multi-canton system preferred over a decentralized cantonal solution approach? What cost comparisons are available?
Feasibility: How will it be ensured that the proof of concept is completed by the main project decision if the canton is only determined in the initialization phase?
Financing Risks: What scenarios have been modeled for cost increases during the ten-year main project phase?
Governance: How will the balance between federal autonomy and central standardization in operations and support be ensured?
Sources
Primary Source: Federal Government Launches Mobile Security Communications System (MSK) Preliminary Project – news.admin.ch, 18.06.2026
Verification Status: ✓ 18.06.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 18.06.2026