Grade 5 for digitization in Switzerland
Network and security provider Cisco surveyed 200 Swiss IT decision-makers about their views and challenges. 83 % of respondents said that their companies need to invest massively in digitalization to avoid being overtaken by the competition in the coming year. The good news: IT decision-makers give Switzerland's digitalization a good school grade of 5.
A survey of 200 Swiss IT decision-makers commissioned by Cisco in the run-up to Cisco Connect Switzerland, which takes place in Zurich on 18 June, shows that the experts believe Switzerland has a good level of digitalization. On average, they give Switzerland a school grade of 5, i.e. "good". 82 % even say that Switzerland plays a leading role in digitalization compared to its European neighbors. "In recent years, we have done a lot of things right when it comes to digitalization in Switzerland," says Christopher Tighe, Managing Director of Cisco in Switzerland. "But that should not be a reason to let up now. Now is the time to build on the good foundations with strategic IT investments - so that Switzerland remains a leading digitization nation. Fortunately, IT decision-makers also see it that way."
83 % of Swiss IT decision-makers say that they need to invest massively in digitalization to avoid being overtaken by the competition in the coming year. IT security (54 %) is by far the highest priority for business decision-makers (heads of IT decision-makers), followed by IT infrastructure (45 %) and AI (42%).
Cybersecurity for customer applications is a priority
When it comes to the top topic of cyber security, there are two specific areas of focus for companies in Switzerland. Swiss IT decision-makers see the greatest challenge when it comes to cyber security in securing IT services for end customers (47 %), followed by training and awareness for their own employees (43 %). The protection of intellectual property is a distant second to last with 27 %.
Artificial intelligence used to increase efficiency
Looking at the trending topic of AI, almost all Swiss IT decision-makers state that their company already uses artificial intelligence. Only 3 % say that AI is not used in their company. For two thirds of Swiss IT decision-makers, the most important use of AI is to increase the efficiency of existing processes (66 %). In second place comes the use for research and development (52 %) and in third place is the support of employees in their daily tasks (51 %). Swiss IT decision-makers are also prepared to take drastic steps to drive innovation with AI. 76 % of Swiss IT decision-makers would make savings in other IT areas in order to invest more in AI.
Mobile working in Switzerland: more widespread than expected and expansion planned
58 % of IT decision-makers state that employees in their companies are currently allowed to work remotely for at least 3 days - i.e. from home or on the road. In only 12 % of the companies is mobile working limited to one day or not permitted at all. Surprisingly, over half (53 %) of IT decision-makers expect the permission for mobile working to be extended. 38 % assume that nothing will change and only 9 % expect a regression.
"The results of the study should not lull Swiss companies into a sense of security," warns Matthias Wick, CTO at Cisco in Switzerland. "I don't want to pour water on the wine, but there is still a lot to do. Good principles have been laid down in the areas of AI and cybersecurity in particular, but other countries are much further along in terms of implementation. I hope that we can provide Swiss companies with suggestions and possible solutions at Cisco Connect to help them become digital world leaders." Cisco Connect Switzerland will take place on June 18, 2025 in Zurich at the Circle Convention Center. Around 600 guests are expected to attend. The event is aimed at IT decision-makers, security experts, Cisco partners and representatives who want to find out about current technology trends such as artificial intelligence, secure networks and digital transformation.
Source: Cisco
