OSCE conference in Zug: Switzerland emphasises prevention, dialogue and cooperation to counter escalation after cyber incidents
Zug, 29.09.2026 — As part of its Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) chairpersonship this year, on 29 September 2026 Switzerland brought together high-level representatives from the fields of politics, diplomacy and cybersecurity in order to discuss ways of preventing escalation following cyber incidents. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the OSCE chairman-in-office and head of the FDFA, emphasised the role of dialogue; Federal Councillor Martin Pfister, head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), underlined the importance of preventive measures. The two-day conference in Zug, entitled ‘De-escalation in cyberspace: mediation and preventive diplomacy’, is the final thematic conference ahead of the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting on 3 and 4 December 2026 in Lugano.
The malicious use of information and communication technologies poses a growing challenge to international security. Cyber incidents can undermine trust between states and increase the risk of miscalculation and escalation. Switzerland is therefore committed to the security, stability and responsible use of cyberspace, both within the framework of its OSCE chairpersonship and beyond. Discussions on the first day of the conference focused on three approaches to preventing and managing cybercrises: preventive diplomacy, cybermediation and the inclusion of non-state actors.
Preventive diplomacy: swift communication and response
Timely diplomatic outreach quickly established channels of communication and OSCE confidence-building measures are all ways of helping to identify tensions at an early stage. In his opening address, Mr Pfister emphasised the importance of trust, dialogue and anticipating developments for ensuring stability in cyberspace. “We cannot prevent every cyber incident. But we can work together to prevent such incidents from escalating into major crises,” he noted. In the subsequent keynote speech, Florian Schütz, head of the National Cyber Security Centre, emphasised the importance of dialogue, shared rules and international cooperation – particularly in an increasingly tense geopolitical environment – in order to share responsibility for the security and responsible use of cyberspace.
Cybermediation: dialogue as a tool for de-escalation
Secure channels of communication and mediation – even across geographical distances – can help to resolve misunderstandings and defuse crises. Discussions focused on how existing conflict prevention tools could be adapted to cyberspace and built upon. In his closing address, Mr Cassis emphasised that the challenges in cyberspace are not only technological, but diplomatic and human in nature: “Technology can help us detect threats. Artificial intelligence can help us analyse them. But neither can decide when to communicate rather than retaliate, when to de-escalate rather than escalate. That remains our responsibility. And this is where the OSCE matters.”
Non-state actors as key partners
Non-state actors – including the private sector, academic community and civil society – contribute significantly to preventing and managing cyber crises. Thanks to specialist knowledge and familiarity with technological developments, they are able to identify risks at an early stage and help assess a given situation. Conference participants emphasised the importance of a structured exchange between state and non-state actors. In this way, technical expertise can be channelled into diplomatic and political processes, and the approach to new technologies – including artificial intelligence (AI) – can be advanced. However, responsibility for political decisions ultimately remains with the state.
Zug as an innovation and technology hub
The conference's host city is situated in the Zurich-Zug region, a hub for research and innovation that brings together universities, research institutions, companies and start-ups to develop and apply new technologies – including in the fields of cybersecurity, AI and digital information and communication systems. On the second day of the conference, participants will also be given first-hand insights into this environment. Visits to the research and technology institutions will bridge the gap between the discussions on the first day of the conference and concrete examples from Swiss research, development and innovation.
Approximately 120 people from 48 countries participated in the conference. The FDFA would like to thank the Canton of Zug, the Zug police and the federal authorities involved for ensuring the smooth running of the conference.
Speech by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the OSCE chairman-in-office
Speech by Federal Councillor Martin Pfister