Cyber attacks: Switzerland relies on secure e-mails

Phishing remains the most common gateway for hackers. Now a new e-mail checker is to help secure communication in Switzerland too .

Whether it’s a missing dot in the sender’s address or a deceptively real logo, most cyber attacks start with a manipulated email. According to industry experts, over 90 percent of attacks are carried out via this channel, whether for identity theft, espionage or the infiltration of malware.

Germany as a role model – opportunity for Switzerland

In Germany, the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has proclaimed 2025 the “Email Security Year”. The centerpiece is an online checker that allows users to check whether their provider meets modern security standards such as DMARC, DKIM or TLS. Such a tool would also be useful for Switzerland, especially for SMEs that do not have their own IT security departments.

“We see that small companies in particular often don’t know whether their email system is properly protected. A simple checker would create transparency here,” says Florian Schütz, Director of the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC).

Phishing also affects Swiss companies

The Swiss economy is not spared: according to a survey by Kaspersky, there were 6.7 million attempts last year according to the spam and phishing report. When attackers steal customer data, it is not only the financial damage that is particularly sensitive, but also the loss of trust. A successful phishing attack can destroy trust in a brand within minutes, which is almost worse for companies than the direct financial loss,

Security creates trust

Associations such as Digitalswitzerland are therefore calling for more transparency and practical help for companies and private individuals. A public email checker could increase security and at the same time increase pressure on providers to implement internationally recognized standards, because secure communication is the basis for digital innovation and without trust, no digital economy can function.

Every click counts

Because in the end, even the best technology is useless if people fall for the trap. Awareness of suspicious senders, false links and unexpected attachments is crucial. Security starts in the inbox and with one less click on the wrong link.

Binci Heeb

Read also: Fraud scam with phishing or smishing