Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport DDPS
Cyberthreats concern us all. The DDPS is strengthening Switzerland’s cybersecurity.
The DDPS is responsible for Switzerland’s security policy – that policy is implemented through the Armed Forces, the State Secretariat for Security Policy, the Federal Office for Civil Protection, the Federal Intelligence Service, armasuisse and the National Cyber Security Centre. The role of the DDPS also involves promoting sport through the Federal Office for Sport and producing geoinformation through swisstopo.
Viola Amherd
Head of the DDPS.
Member of the Federal Council since 2019.
President of the Swiss Confederation in 2024
We must be prepared to ensure the security of our country in the face of multiple threats.
Priorities of the DDPS in 2024
The Federal Council has decided to strengthen areas dedicated to security within the DDPS. To that end a State Secretariat for Security Policy (SEPOS) has been created and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has been incorporated into the DDPS.
This will enable the DDPS to cope even better with the numerous challenges posed by the constantly changing threat situation. The war in Ukraine has confirmed and laid out the growing threat of hybrid conflict including disinformation and influence operations, cyber attacks, covert operations and armed conflict. Switzerland must therefore be prepared to face these threats.
The security situation in Europe has triggered a new dynamic and opened up new opportunities for security and defence cooperation. We can counter threats more effectively if we work together as partners. That is why Switzerland has decided to focus its security and defence policy more consistently on international cooperation while maintaining its neutrality.
As part of NATO’s Partnership for Peace, Switzerland has set itself the goal of promoting security policy dialogue in the Euro-Atlantic area and contributing to peace, democracy and security in Europe through concrete cooperation. In particular, this involves expanding cooperation in the cyber area.
Expenses 2022 (CHF)
8.24 bn
Staff (FTEs) 2022
12,128
Organisation chart DDPS
General Secretariat GS-DDPS
Secretary General: Daniel Büchel
www.vbs.admin.ch
State Secretariat for Security Policy SEPOS
State Secretary: Markus Mäder
www.sepos.admin.ch
National Cyber Security Centre NCSC
Director: Florian Schütz
www.ncsc.admin.ch
Federal Office for Civil Protection FOCP
Director: Michaela Schärer
www.babs.admin.ch
Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse
Chief of Defence Procurement: Urs Loher
www.ar.admin.ch
Federal Office of Topography swisstopo
Director: Fridolin Wicki
www.swisstopo.admin.ch
Federal Office of Sport FOSPO
Director: Sandra Felix
www.baspo.admin.ch
Defence sector
Chief of the Armed Forces: Lieutenant
General Thomas Süssli
www.vtg.admin.ch
Federal Intelligence Service FIS
Director: Christian Dussey
www.ndb.admin.ch
Office of the Armed Forces Attorney General
Armed Forces Attorney General: Stefan
Flachsmann
www.oa.admin.ch