National Cyberstrategy (NCS) M17 Bilateral cooperation with strategic partners and international competence centres Description Switzerland is taking steps to strengthen, coordinate and strategically expand operational cooperation with international partners. In view of the international dimension of cybersecurity, targeted cooperation with international partners, competence centres and leading specialist organisations is crucial for the successful implementation of all measures to protect against cyberthreats. Background and need for action Overview of measure When it comes to the global internet, Switzerland is reliant on cooperation with other countries. Experience has shown that such activities are only sustainable if they are broad-based and underpinned by common interests. For certain activities, Switzerland maintains bilateral relations with strategic partners. International cooperation is particularly important for law enforcement. Without mutual assistance between states, globally active perpetrators cannot be effectively prosecuted. Switzerland therefore liaises on these issues at an operational and strategic level in the relevant expert bodies, but also directly with other countries. In addition to governmental cooperation, collaboration with private international initiatives and technical competence centres on cybersecurity is very important. Such cooperation involving a high level of trust can make a significant contribution to better understanding the relevant threat situation and its development, and to more effectively protecting society, businesses and the Federal Administration This requires long-term cooperation at the highest level of trust and strategic development and expansion of the international networks of relationships between relevant actors in Switzerland. - Priorities - Key actors - Existing cyberdialogues with partner countries will be continued and efforts made to establish such dialogues with other countries. In consultation with partner countries, Switzerland will examine how the framework for cybercrime prosecution can be improved through bilateral international treaties. Switzerland will work with foreign partners in the context of operational programmes such as the Counter Ransomware Initiative. Efforts will be made to secure bilateral agreements for the provision of mutual assistance in combating cybercrime. If the opportunity arises, cooperation with the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC) will be sought. Active participation in relevant organisations that enable and promote this technical/operational cooperation, such as FIRST, TF-CSIRT and NatCSIRT (national CERTs). Expansion of cooperation in international working groups on technical issues (e.g. OT security, phishing). Confederation: FDFA, fedpol, FIS, FOCA, FOT, GS DDPS, NCSC, OFCOM, SFOE Business community/society: professional associations, CERTs, security service providers 33