Swiss government websites targeted by Russia-linked hackers after Zelenskyy's Davos visit

NCSC had issued warnings to operators of critical infrastructures

In the wake of President Zelenskyy's visit to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland found itself targeted by a cyber onslaught as Russia-linked hackers executed a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on several government websites.

The Swiss National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said it swiftly denounced the attack, revealing that 'NoName,' a group with ties to Russia, had claimed responsibility, citing retaliation for Zelenskyy's presence at the international summit.

The targeted sites encompassed federal departments and multiple federal offices, though the Swiss government's primary portal, admin.ch, remained operational throughout.

The NCSC said it collaborated with relevant administrative units to analyse the risk posed by such attacks, providing support in implementing necessary security measures.

Anticipating an attack during Zelenskyy's visit, the NCSC had issued warnings to operators of critical infrastructures on 10th January, directing them to enhance security precautions.

"As an attack had been expected in the run-up to the visit, the NCSC warned the operators of critical infrastructures of this kind of attack on 10 January and called on them to take the necessary precautions. The Federal Administration had therefore adopted the appropriate security arrangements," the NCSC said.

DDoS attacks, which flood websites with internet traffic to render them temporarily unavailable, are typically disruptive but do not result in the loss or theft of data.

Despite the inconvenience caused by the disruption, Swiss authorities reassure the public that their cybersecurity measures remain robust, underscoring the importance of continued vigilance in the face of cyber threats.

This marks the second attack by 'NoName' on Switzerland, with the group having previously targeted the federal administration in June 2023 when Zelenskyy addressed the Swiss parliament remotely via video-link.

In his latest visit to Switzerland, Zelenskyy held meetings with Swiss President Viola Amherd in Bern and addressed the WEF in Davos.

Following discussions with President Amherd, it was announced that Switzerland had accepted the responsibility of organising a peace summit for world leaders to address Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The specifics of the summit, including dates and modalities, are yet to be announced.

Switzerland, known for its longstanding policy of military neutrality, has refused to provide armaments to Kyiv. However, the country has aligned itself with the European Union's economic sanctions on Russia in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The cyberattack following Zelenskyy's diplomatic engagements highlights the vulnerability of nations to cyber threats in the wake of significant international events.

The Swiss government says it remains vigilant, emphasising the importance of cybersecurity measures in the face of evolving threats.