The new Intelligence Service Act ‘in action’! The new Intelligence Service Act has been in force since 1 September 2017. It gives the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) new instruments for countering the threats to Switzerland's internal and external security. The situation radar shows that these new tools are needed now more than ever. For example, the radar indicates that Switzerland's security policy has to remain focussed on the ongoing heightened terrorist threat and the threat in cyberspace (especially from espionage). The latter poses an enormous challenge for Switzerland, as elsewhere. Espionage using information and communications technology, in particular, is now taking place on a large scale in our country. In 2017, we have seen yet another state, North Korea, acquire the means to threaten Switzerland with nuclear weapons from within its territory. This fact, together with the use of chemical weapons in Syria and of chemical agents against a Russian ex-spy and his daughter in the UK, underlines how important it is that efforts to counter proliferation activities should not be relaxed. Relations between Russia and the transatlantic West are steadily deteriorating: In all likelihood, this development, which is relevant to Switzerland's security policy, has not yet reached its lowest point. The inclusion of influence operations in the situation radar demonstrates that Switzerland – be it the country's decision-makers or the population at large – has not remained untouched by this phenomenon. Switzerland is still a relatively safe country, not least due to the continuing efforts of our security authorities at federal and cantonal level. In order for our country to be able to maintain its security, it is essential that we continue to make consistent and targeted use of the range of preventive and punitive measures available to us. As explained in an appendix to this situation report, since 1 ­September 2017 the FIS has been actively employing the intelligence-gathering measures requiring authorisation which are provided for, subject to strict conditions, in the Intelligence Service Act. For example, by the end of 2017 the FIS had opened four operations (cases), as part of which, following authorisation from the relevant political and judicial authorities, it had successfully used a total of 40 such measures. The fact that two of these operations related to terrorism and two to counterespionage shows that use of the new tools is being focussed on the most serious threats. The publication of these figures demonstrates the increasing transparency of the FIS. While core aspects of intelligence work will always remain secret, the publication of certain key figures relating to the service's work – as is also planned for the 2019 annual report – can only strengthen public confidence in this vital security instrument. Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport DDPS Guy Parmelin Federal Councillor SIT UAT ION R E PORT 2 0 1 8 | FIS 5