National strategy for the protection of Switzerland against cyber risks 2018-2022 4.9 Active positioning of Switzerland in international cyber security policy Objectives and need for action Background Description Overview of sphere of action Cyberspace has created a new dimension of foreign security policy. It is increasingly being used by state actors to project power and to achieve political goals, intelligence projects and military purposes. In addition to the use of cyber resources in conventional armed conflicts, more and more conflicts are also taking place in digital space. Accordingly, international cooperation at both the diplomatic and technical/operational levels is indispensable for reducing cyber risks. The protection of Switzerland's foreign and security policy interests must also be ensured in cyberspace. Switzerland therefore works at both the diplomatic and technical/operational levels to strengthen international cooperation to minimise cyber risks. The importance of international cooperation was already emphasised in the 2012 NCS. The processes and structures for a coordinated and coherent foreign cyber security policy have been established. The "Digital Switzerland" Strategy adopted by the Federal Council in 2016 also takes security policy considerations into account. In the relevant international processes, Switzerland is perceived and also heard as an active, reliable and trustworthy partner. Switzerland has been heavily involved in the development and implementation of the first confidence-building measures between states in the cyber field. Switzerland actively helps shape multilateral processes relating to cyber security and deepens its cooperation with selected countries and organisations. A coherent foreign cyber security policy is indispensable for minimising cyber risks. The overriding goal of such a policy is a free, open and secure cyberspace. Switzerland avails itself of various instruments to safeguard its interests vis-à-vis states and international organisations and to promote peace, stability and international security. Firstly, it promotes the recognition, observance and enforcement of international law in the field of cyber security and helps to clarify how existing international law is applied in cyber space. Secondly, Switzerland actively promotes confidence-building measures between states. And thirdly, it supports and develops initiatives to expand national capabilities and to build capacity in third countries. The latter also aims to ensure that all stakeholders, where possible, can participate in the international discussions on promoting cyber security. In all activities, Switzerland pays attention to promoting Switzerland and International Geneva as a platform for discussions on foreign cyber security policy. 24