Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a basic requirement for digital societies to function. It must be ensured every day, as cyberattacks are everywhere. This issue of HSG FOCUS looks at key digital threats and shows possible ways to respond.
As Prof. Guido Salvaneschi explains, cybercrime has become a globally organized industry with its own business models, service structures, and strong growth. Ransomware is a preferred tool because it is scalable and profitable. However, effective defense does not start with expensive technology. It begins with simple measures such as strong passwords, regular backups, and raising employee awareness.
At the same time, artificial intelligence is making the situation more complex. It helps automate attacks, imitate voices, and lower the barriers for attackers. But defenders also use AI, for example, to detect unusual activity, creating a constant interplay between attack and defense.
What happens when a company is successfully attacked? In an interview, Thomas Meier, CEO of InfoGuard AG, describes these situations as driven by clear business logic rather than drama. Criminal groups often see themselves as entrepreneurs. What matters most is who controls the pace of negotiations and stays calm under pressure. His key message is clear: cyber resilience is a top management responsibility and cannot be delegated.
Prof. Bruno Rodrigues highlights a largely overlooked form of surveillance. Standard Wi-Fi routers can detect people through walls, without cameras or microphones. This technology, known as "Wi-Fi sensing", has been commercially available since 2024. This raises an important political question: who is allowed to use these signals?
There is also debate about whether the impact of social media on minors is an issue of cyber hygiene or cybersecurity. Countries such as Australia and France have introduced bans for young users. However, a research team at HSG led by Prof. Simon Mayer argues that the real problem is not the users, but the algorithms designed to maximize engagement. These have proven harmful effects across all age groups. A general ban does not solve the root cause; it only delays the problem.
Finally, a video report by Daniel Sager traces the development of cybersecurity from the breaking of the Enigma code in World War II to today. It shows that with every new technology, digital self-defense must be learned again.