Joining forces to shape digital Switzerland

It’s absolutely essential that SWITCH plays an active role in shaping socially relevant issues such as a more secure internet, the use of digital identities and the intelligent use of research data. As a Swiss internet pioneer and the .ch operator from the very beginning, SWITCH has the experience and expertise needed to help frame joint projects related to the digital transformation.

Published on 29.06.2021

The only way to tackle societal concerns – such as substantially improving the security of the internet and other critical infrastructures, designing an e-ID for Switzerland and supporting research into specialised applications – is to take a cross-disciplinary approach. For example, SWITCH is drawing on its expertise to perform pioneering work together with researchers. In a dedicated segment of SWITCH’s university network, all the partners are devoting their energies to substantially improving the security of data exchange within Switzerland’s financial centre. The experience gained will help to enhance the security of other areas of the internet.

Topics such as the intelligent use of research data, internet security and digital identities address the needs not only of universities, but also of our society as a whole. (Photo: KEYSTONE/Westend61/Peter Scholl)

The community is also addressing issues such as what a Swiss e-ID should look like and what it should be used for. ‘We have come to appreciate SWITCH as a superbly skilled, trustworthy and neutral partner in the context of the Swiss edu-ID project. When it comes to working together on solutions for a Swiss e-ID, the Foundation can provide valuable input thanks to its many years of experience in the field of digital identities,’ remarked Patrick Furrer, Open Science programme coordinator at swissuniversities.

Dr. Patrick Furrer, swissuniversities

We have come to appreciate SWITCH as a superbly skilled, trustworthy and neutral partner in the context of the Swiss edu-ID project. When it comes to working together on solutions for an e-ID in Switzerland, the Foundation can provide valuable input thanks to its many years of experience in the field of digital identities.
Dr. Patrick Furrer, Open Science programme coordinator, swissuniversities

Open research data and data quality requirements are key factors for a prominent research location. Even today, research data generated at various Swiss universities is still not available centrally. Research data needs to be networked and made usable in an intelligent way through an ecosystem – the research data connectome. ‘The ability to repurpose existing data from a vast variety of disciplines translates into endless possibilities for creating new knowledge. And doing so enhances the effectiveness of taxpayers’ money invested in research,’ commented Sebastian Sigloch, Head of Innovation and Business Development at SWITCH.

Dr. Sebastian Sigloch, SWITCH (Photo: Dominik Aebli, SWITCH)

The ability to repurpose existing research data from a vast variety of disciplines translates into endless possibilities for creating new knowledge. And doing so enhances the effectiveness of taxpayers’ money invested in research.
Dr. Sebastian Sigloch, Head of Innovation and Business Development, SWITCH

Topics such as improved use of research data, internet security and digital identities address the needs not only of universities, but also of our society as a whole. The players in the fields of education, research and innovation who have been pressing ahead with these topics for many years can and should play a key role when it comes to shaping a progressive, digital Switzerland together.

SWITCH is committed to becoming even more involved in joint projects relating to the digital transformation. With its many years of experience and expertise, it is volunteering to take a seat at the design table.