In an interview with the online magazine handelszeitung.ch on Saturday, Maurer stressed that the danger no longer comes from single individuals, but rather from organisations or even states that seek potentially damaging information about a country and its businesses and institutions.

“We are aware of the issue and handle it quite well. Nevertheless, we are certainly still too lax and the quality of the security must be improved,” he was quoted as saying.

Maurer also said that the massive amount of investment made in cyber-security in the past by Switzerland may not be enough now and added that threats could target mainly the energy, gas, transport and water sectors. The minister did not specify how the country’s cyber security can be improved in technical detail, but said he did not think it would necessary to create a specific Federal Office to deal with cyber defence.

He said that currently between five to ten percent of the overall defence budget is dedicated to cyber security, the paper reported.