The Swiss voice in the world since 1935

Hacked IT service provider Xplain under formal investigation

Computer hacked by ransomware
A series of ransomware attacks has raised concerns over Swiss cybersecurity. Keystone / Lino Mirgeler

The Swiss data protection commissioner has opened formal proceedings against IT services firm Xplain after hackers gained access to sensitive government data on portals hosted by the private company.

The data watchdog last month launched a probe into the Swiss customs and border security agency and the Federal Police. On Friday, this investigation was widened to include Xplain.

+ Read how hackers got their hands on sensitive data on government servers

The criminal organisation “Play”, which is linked to Russia, launched a series of ransomware attacks on Swiss media groups and Xplain earlier this year.

This resulted in reams of sensitive data being posted on the DarkNet, including 766 football hooligans whose details were logged on a police database.

More

The attacks have prompted criticism of Swiss cyber protection defences, including the practice of outsourcing certain services to private companies.

Cybersecurity firm Dreamlab Technologies has found 106,000 security holes among 3.5 million servers in Switzerland. Some 50,000 weak points are rated as extremely serious.

Several Swiss municipalities and educational establishments have also been hit by ransomware attackers in recent years.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Tourists spent more last year

More

Tourist spending in Switzerland grew in 2024

This content was published on Visitors to Switzerland spent CHF19.6 billion ($23.9 billion) last year, a 2.2% rise compared to the previous year, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) said on Monday.

Read more: Tourist spending in Switzerland grew in 2024
Swiss population remains in a spending mood despite crises

More

Swiss consumer sentiment remains positive despite crises

This content was published on Despite the current tense economic situation, Swiss consumer sentiment remains positive. The Swiss spent more money in May than the previous year, particularly on restaurant visits and leisure activities, as shown by the latest figures released by PostFinance.

Read more: Swiss consumer sentiment remains positive despite crises
Bear kills four sheep near Scuol GR

More

Bear kills sheep in southeastern Switzerland

This content was published on A bear killed four sheep in the Lower Engadine region near Scuol, canton Graubünden, last week. This was the first bear attack on local livestock in four years.

Read more: Bear kills sheep in southeastern Switzerland
Economists lower their expectations for economic growth in 2026

More

Swiss economists lower growth forecast for 2026

This content was published on Experts believe that economic development in Switzerland will be weaker in 2026 than the forecasts made three months ago. They have also lowered their predictions for the current year.

Read more: Swiss economists lower growth forecast for 2026
Fewer and fewer people are attending religious events

More

Survey: more Swiss reject organised religion

This content was published on Fewer people in Switzerland have a religious affiliation and the proportion who practice their religion regularly is steadily declining, a survey finds.

Read more: Survey: more Swiss reject organised religion
Trees cool cities better than previously assumed

More

Study: trees have major cooling effect even in extreme heat

This content was published on Plane trees in cities have an important cooling effect even in extreme heat, according to a new study by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL). 

Read more: Study: trees have major cooling effect even in extreme heat
The panorama of the Battle of Murten is digitised

More

EPFL launches digitised version of Battle of Murten panorama

This content was published on To mark the anniversary of the Battle of Murten on 22 June 1476, the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) has launched a website that offers the public an immersive experience of the huge panorama painting of the historic battle. 

Read more: EPFL launches digitised version of Battle of Murten panorama

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR