PIG. Behind these four letters is a confidential project of the Swiss army. Research by Blick shows that a strange procedure can cost the Swiss taxpayer dearly.
The project is about cybersecurity, more specifically about the infrastructure and IT systems of the army. The core is the Swiss management network, which is intended to enable the authorities to continue to communicate even if the internet fails, for example in a war situation.
Up to 2.4 billion costs
The estimated cost of the PIGN project is circulating only in the highest circles. And lead to annoyance, according to various sources. Initially, an amount of between 800 million and 3 billion francs was assumed, it is said. The estimate has now been specified and is said to be between CHF 2 and 2.4 billion.
This amount is not only created to finance the security of the country. But also because certain structures are pushed back and forth between two departments.
Separate civilian and military IT
But let’s start at the beginning: For nearly 20 years, the federal government’s civilian and military IT systems have been “strongly intertwined,” as stated in a statement from the Swiss military dated August 28, 2020.
The so-called Command Support Base (FUB) now provides IT services not only for the military, but also for the civilian federal administration. But not for long: in 2016, then Defense Minister Guy Parmelin (63) decided to separate civil and military IT after a cyber attack on the state arms company Ruag.
The variant is called «Reducziun»
Essentially, a number of structures will be transferred from the military to the Federal Office of Information Technology and Telecommunications (BIT). This is subordinate to the Department of Finance (FDF). The strategy for this split, which is about to be adopted, provides for several variants. The one preferred according to sources is called «Reducziun».
But this raises a number of questions. “Reducziun” provides for the transfer of a number of IT systems that the army needs in crisis and emergency situations. In a first step, these will be fully transferred to the civil FITT in the coming year.
Strange back and forth
However, some go the opposite way the following year: back from the BIT to the Cyber Command, which should replace the command base by then.
The guide network in Switzerland would also be part of this outward and return journey. And as multiple sources confirm, this back and forth would account for the high cost. After all: CHF 2.4 billion is about half of the total current army budget.
Army chief Thomas Süssli (55) would have arranged this trip himself. The computer scientist was already involved in digital projects before he was appointed army chief in January 2020. He was in charge of the Command Support Base at the time.
Bund declined to comment
Faced with the investigation, the federal government is silent. The FDF represents all functions and replies: “We do not comment on ongoing internal projects and will inform you in due course.”
A request for a publicity law was also rejected. The reason for this is a pending decision of the Bundesrat: “Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the Bundesrat will soon take a decision on the details of the disentanglement of the civil and military IT of the DDPS. A press release will then be issued », is the answer.
Always expensive
Large amounts of IT projects for the military would not be new. Already in 2021, the army exceeded its IT budget, which already amounted to 460 million francs, by 100 million francs.
The work under the large IT investment program Fitania was largely responsible for this. This also includes the Swiss management network, which is now also the focus of PIGN.