Cyber security in a quantum-safe age
The fourth General Assembly of the Swiss Financial Sector Cyber Security Centre (Swiss FS-CSC) took place on 24 June 2026 in Basel. Alongside the official business, it focused on the challenges of the quantum computing era to come. In particular, it discussed how the Swiss FS-CSC can help the financial sector kick-start preparations for a quantum-safe future.
Scheduled elections took place at this year’s General Assembly. The association members in attendance confirmed August Benz as President and Alexandra Arni as Vice President. With the two insurance representatives having left the insurance industry in spring of this year and therefore departing from the FS-CSC Board, Jean-Philippe Moser, Deputy CEO of the Swiss Insurance Association (SIA), was elected as new member to the Board.
The main topic of the event was how to make the financial centre quantum-safe. Association President August Benz stressed: “Quantum computing is still in its infancy, but we need to address the issue now, especially when it comes to encryption.” Looking ahead, quantum computers will be able to break the standard cryptographic methods used today. This is especially relevant for financial institutions, because sensitive data and transactions often need to be protected for a very long period. The Swiss FS-CSC has therefore set up a “quantum-safe” working group, which is drawing up a set of guidelines for members.
The human factor is important at every stage
Human beings are central to preparing for quantum-safe, as Prof. Verena Zimmermann, Assistant Professor in the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences at ETH Zurich, underscored in her keynote speech: “Cyber resilience is created not just by technology, but also through the interplay of technology, organisation and the human factor.” She explained what quantum technologies mean in practice for organisations, users and policymakers – and why issues of governance, security culture and collaboration are key.
The Swiss FS-CSC aims to actively support the financial sector as it tackles this long-term challenge. As a collaborative platform, the association promotes knowledge acquisition and sharing, contextualises risks and assists in the development of coordinated approaches between financial institutions and the authorities. Its goal is to make the financial sector quantum-safe in a strategic and concerted manner, rather than having to react under time pressure. Early preparation is crucial to preserving trust and stability, comments Executive Officer and Vice President Alexandra Arni.
