The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global lockdown with severe health and economical consequences. As a result, authorities around the globe have expressed their needs for better tools to monitor the spread of the virus. Researchers and technology companies have offered to develop such tools in the form of contact tracing applications. A fundamental challenge with these smartphone-based contact tracing technologies is to ensure the security and privacy of their users.

This report aims to shed light on the various technologies by providing an objective assessment of the cybersecurity and privacy risks. We first review the state-of-the-art in digital contact tracing technologies and then explore the risk-utility trade-offs of the techniques proposed for COVID-19. We focus specifically on the technologies that are already adopted by certain countries.

One of our mission is to transfer new research developments and technologies into Proof of Concepts and prototypes for the Swiss Armed Forces. To achieve this goal, we work closely with academic institutions and industrial partners. Collaboration with startups and the established security-relevant technology and industry base (STIB) occurs via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or in projects funded by armasuisse through research mandates. Organizations interested in collaborations should contact us here. 

Cyber Defence Research in Switzerland

Are you studying at a Swiss university and want to actively promote research in the area of safety and data sciences? Then the Cyber-Defence Fellowships could be just the right thing for you!

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology at Lausanne (EPFL) and the Cyber Defence (CYD) Campus have joined forces in research and education in the area of cyber defence. The Cyber-Defence Fellowships are open to researchers and students at master, PhD and postdoc level.

You can register at: Applicant Portal CYD Fellowship

The registration deadline is August 31, 2020.