Keystone
Switzerland is preparing to host the high-level conference on peace in Ukraine this weekend on Bürgenstock (NW). For the event, the Confederation has implemented a series of security measures to deal with any threats. Here are the ones.
Nuclear, bacteriological and chemical threats
LNBC protection involves the adoption of all measures against nuclear (atomic and radiological, N), biological (B) and chemical (C) threats and dangers.
In the past, Russia has repeatedly been accused of carrying out attacks of this type, in particular against political opponents, using chemical components, such as the “Novichok” neurotoxins, developed for military purposes in the Soviet Union.
Interviewed by the Keystone-ATS news agency, the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) announced that the Spiez laboratory (BE) will be present on site with specialized mobile units precisely to identify and prevent any attacks with similar agents nerves.
Increased monitoring for radioactivity
Furthermore, during international conferences, the automatic radioactivity intensity monitoring network (NADAM) is set up, managed by the National Alarm Center (CNA) with 76 measuring stations distributed throughout Switzerland.
At the upcoming peace summit, this security instrument will be expanded regionally with further flying probes. The probes are placed at MeteoSwiss weather stations.
The local dose rate is transmitted to the CNA at 10 minute intervals. If the threshold of 1000 nanosieverts per hour (nSv/h) is exceeded, an alarm is raised immediately.
If necessary, the CNA can request the intervention of various measuring equipment (such as measuring helicopters) and the advice of specialists, explains the FOCP.
Attacks on communications systems
In the so-called red zone surrounding the area around the Bürgenstock (NW) – the strictly controlled and monitored perimeter officially came into force today at 12:00 – authorities and organizations active in the field of rescue and safety communicate via the network Polycom national radio, which allows radio communication between border guards, police, firefighters, rescue medical organizations, civil protection and auxiliary army formations.
It is a radio system capable of functioning even in the event of a failure of the GSM telecommunications network and, according to the FOPP, guarantees “uninterrupted” data exchange.
Espionage
The Federal Intelligence Service (SIC) considers the presence of some members of foreign intelligence among the various delegations present at the conference to be “probable”.
He also expects that Russia will attempt to spread propaganda and disinformation during the summit, for example by broadcasting false statements in favor of Moscow or attempting to delegitimize people who speak out against the Kremlin’s interests.
The guests present at the conference, and in particular the numerous heads of state and government or foreign ministers, represent “interesting targets” for foreign secret services, explains the FIS.
Cyberattacks
This is the most fearsome threat in the eyes of the Confederation, whose platforms have already been targeted by Russian cyber pirates. Just today, a few hours after the event, the federal administration was the victim of a similar attack.
According to the Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FSC), overload attacks, known as DDoS (Distributed denial of service), are part of the expected upsurge on the sidelines of the conference.
DDoS attacks consist of the repeated sending of multiple access requests to the target site with the aim of sending it into “tilt” and making it inaccessible.
Already in June 2023, several websites of the Federal Administration were targeted, when the live video speech of the Ukrainian president was announced Volodymyr Zelenskyexpressed himself in front of Parliament.
The risk of these attacks is “high”
According to the FOSC, the risk of cyber attacks on critical infrastructures is “high”. At a press conference on Tuesday, the President of the Confederation and head of the Federal Department of Defense (DDPS) Viola Amherd admitted a resurgence in this area.
During the summit it is therefore not excluded that hackers could attempt to cause failures in the IT system and interrupt work on the Bürgenstock (NW) or cause the loss of data, specifies the SIC, which predicts a notable increase in DDoS attacks directly linked to the conference.
The air attacks
To ensure the safety of the demonstration, 4,000 soldiers will be deployed from Wednesday until June 19th.
The Army, the DDPS said, supports the cantonal police in particular with regard to the protection of important and critical infrastructures, air transport, reconnaissance and interventions in the air, surveillance and interventions on lake waters, logistics and management assistance.
The deployment of troops takes place according to the principle of subsidiarity in the support service.
The airspace restriction, decided by the Executive, is effective from 8:00 today until 17 June at 20:00 and is limited to the area centered on the Bürgenstock.
In-flight safety is guaranteed with F/A-18 fighters on permanent patrol duty with additional surface-to-air defense means and radars as well as with the strengthening of airspace surveillance and a 24-hour air police service throughout Switzerland.
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