Bern, 21 August 2025 – In light of ever-increasing cyber threats to critical infrastructures, an alliance of major players from the Swiss energy and technology sector is launching the Secure Swiss Utility Network (SSUN) in Bern today. The initiative – supported by the Verband Schweizerischer Elektrizitätsunternehmen (VSE, Association of Swiss Electricity Companies), Anapaya, AXPO Systems, Cyberlink, Litecom, Sunrise and Swisscom – aims to strengthen the digital resilience of the Swiss energy and supply sector over the long term, and forms part of the national cybersecurity strategy.
The rapid digitisation of energy infrastructures and the expansion of renewable energies, smart grids and electro-mobility are producing an increasing level of complexity in the Swiss energy system. This increases the risk of cyber attacks. Security, resilience and the digital sovereignty of critical services are thus becoming a strategic task towards ensuring the security of supply. With this in mind, the SSUN provides an isolated, reliable communication infrastructure that protects critical data streams and safeguards operations.
Superior technology – developed in Switzerland
SSUN is based on the SCION (Scalability, Control and Isolation On Next-Generation Networks) protocol, which was developed at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH). SCION is already being used in healthcare, the financial sector and administration. It allows granular data-path control and increased protection against network attacks such as DDoS or routing attacks. The infrastructure is located entirely in Switzerland, which guarantees data sovereignty and confidentiality.
Connection to the national data platform and secure data exchange
The SSEN/SSUN taskforce commissioned by the VSE has developed SSUN, which connects supply companies within a secure digital environment. It enables a reliable connection to the national data platform (in accordance with the Electricity Ordinance StromVV and the policies on standardised data exchange with the national data platform SDND) and secures the exchange of data in relation to decentralised production and the flexibility management of the network.
The launch event showcased real-world use cases using specific examples, including the protection of critical infrastructure in the Swiss energy sector (Manuel Dietrich, Axpo Systems), the use of proprietary fibre optic infrastructure to connect to the SSUN (Simon Hauri, Litecom), and the combination of SCION products with other cybersecurity solutions (Jonas Behring and Rico Kunfermann, Swisscom). The presentations highlighted the real and immediate potential for the sector. Attending the event were around 130 participants from the worlds of business, politics and technology.
An important milestone for a collaborative solution
The governance of SSUN is shared by the partners who define the access conditions and operator obligations. This model ensures transparency, sectoral coordination and compliance with national security objectives. It demonstrates the Swiss energy industry’s ability to work together to find robust solutions to combat digital threats.
SSUN represents a significant step forward in building a genuine digital shield to protect critical infrastructures, as envisaged in the National Cybersecurity Strategy. This secure, autonomous and interoperable network ensures operational continuity, a factor which is particularly important for maintaining stable supply. With this initiative, the energy industry reaffirms its intention to strengthen digital sovereignty, promote innovation and protect the essential services of the future.
Companies can start migrating their services immediately. By 2030, connection to SSUN will gradually become mandatory for all market partners connected to the national data platform.
About Anapaya
Anapaya is a Swiss company that strives to enhance Internet security and connectivity
through the SCION Internet architecture, a groundbreaking technology offering secure
routing, resiliency against DDoS attacks, and high availability.
Anapaya's solutions empower global businesses to operate with confidence in today's world by delivering higher security and flexibility for their business-critical services and data communication.
Together with its partner ecosystem of telecommunication companies, system integrators, and cloud providers, Anapaya is making the SCION Internet accessible to everyone. Customers include, among others, the Swiss National Bank and SIX, operating the Secure Swiss Finance Network for critical applications like the Interbank Clearing System used by more than 300 Banks, the Health Info Net AG providing the Secure Swiss Health Network used by more than 30’000 doctors and the Swiss Federal Administration.
Anapaya was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland.
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