Internal Security - Major challenges for Switzerland

Security is one of the key prerequisites for freedom, prosperity and social cohesion. Nevertheless, Switzerland’s internal security is often taken for granted. At the same time, the state and society are faced with an increasingly complex security situation: organised crime, extremism, terrorism, radicalisation, a greater propensity for violence and new forms of cross-border crime dominate public debate and pose major challenges for politicians, authorities and security agencies.

In addition, increasing security needs amongst the public, growing and more complex tasks confronting security forces, and staffing, financial and structural challenges within the security sector all contribute to the situation. Whilst the demands placed on the police, public authorities and private security providers are constantly growing, available resources are under pressure in many places.

At the same time, certain segments of society no longer feel safe in Switzerland. This dwindling sense of security is a real social trend, as noted in the ETH Security Study 2026.  Amidst the growing tensions arising from geopolitical uncertainties, the pressures of globalisation, rapid technological change, the breakdown of social structures and the erosion of values, etc., ensuring internal security is more difficult than ever, as the 2025 situation reports from fedpol and the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) starkly demonstrate. «Not an easy read», as Federal Councillor Martin Pfister put it, «but a necessary one».

The 28th SSF Security Talk will therefore focus on this highly topical issue. The following questions will be at the heart of the discussion:

• Why is the sense of security in Switzerland at an all-time low? How have the threat and risk landscape changed in recent years?

• What factors, challenges and dangers are shaping Switzerland’s internal security today and in the years to come? Which risks are particularly acute for people in their everyday lives?

• How can the security needs of the population, the economy and the state be safeguarded? How should an open society deal with the phenomenon of increasing aggression, assaults and threats? How can individuals prepare for and protect themselves?

• To what extent will effective cooperation between public and private security providers become even more important in future? How important is the training and education of security personnel in de-escalating conflicts and dangers?

We are delighted to welcome the following distinguished experts to the event:

• Eva Wildi-Cortés, Director, Federal Office of Police fedpol

• State Councillor Karin Kayser-Frutschi, President, Conference of Cantonal Directors of Justice and Police (CCDJP)

• Matteo Cocchi, President, Conference of Cantonal Police Commanders of Switzerland (CCPCS)

• Armin Berchtold, President, Association of Swiss Security Services Companies

We warmly invite you to join us in discussing Switzerland’s internal security with experts from the worlds of politics, public administration, security agencies and business.