Cyber security is losing priority in Swiss SMEs

Cybersecurity Wednesday, 29. October 2025 09:16

The new "SME Cybersecurity 2025" study paints an alarming picture: despite the continuing high threat of cybercrime, Swiss SMEs are losing confidence in their own IT security. Only 42% of the companies surveyed still feel well prepared for a cyberattack - compared to over half in the previous year. At the same time, the issue of cyber security is becoming less important: it is no longer a priority for 28% of SMEs and their willingness to invest continues to decline.

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While technical protective measures such as firewalls and software updates are widespread, organisational measures are lagging far behind. Only around a third of SMEs have an IT security concept, regular training or an emergency plan. Particularly critical: only one in five companies even carries out IT security audits.

The results emphasise the need to see cyber security as a strategic success factor. Swiss SMEs need to strengthen their cyber resilience in a targeted manner - by investing in technology, organisation and awareness.

The study, report and infographic are available at

cyberstudie.ch

The study was conducted by the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW) together with digitalswitzerland, Die Mobiliar, the Swiss Digital Security Alliance (ADSS), the FHNW, the HES-SO Valais-Wallis, the Information Security Society Switzerland (ISSS), the Swiss Internet Security Alliance (SISA) and YouGov Switzerland.