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Publications Defence and Armed Forces

Armee SignetThis section contains SFAO audits related to defence and Armed Forces issues.

Audit DTI key project Data centres 2020 ICT architecture and infrastructure - Defence Group

The Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) audited the project "DDPS/federal data centres 2020 ICT architecture and infrastructure (ICT A&I)", which the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) split off from the DDPS data centre 2020 programme in mid-2022. Under the ICT A&I project, the technical services of the Armed Forces new digitalisation platform (NDP) are to be provided by the Cyber Command and an external supplier. The aim is to set up an operating platform that ensures automated operation of information and communication technology (ICT) in the data centres by means of virtualised systems, i.e. an abstraction of physical IT resources which have the same functions.

Audit number: 23155

Audit Digital transformation: Process efficiency in the replacement of the Land Forces CIS Defence Group – Armed Forces Staff

The Land Forces command information system (Land Forces CIS) supports operations planning, command and control, and current intelligence in Armed Forces tactical operations by displaying situation maps that facilitate the preparation of command and control documents and enable their level-appropriate distribution within a military unit. The Land Forces CIS, which was approved as part of the 2006 armament programme at a cost of CHF 736 million, is now showing its age. Moreover, it meets the Armed Forces' needs only to a limited extent: contrary to the original intention, the control of mobile units is restricted as no sufficiently high-performance communication infrastructure exists. The Defence sector's subsequent decision in 2012 that it would no longer equip the lower hierarchical level of the Armed Forces (up to section vehicle level) with the Land Forces CIS resulted in CHF 125 million worth of write-offs. It is now planned to replace the Land Forces CIS and three other command information systems with the IPLIS integrated planning and situation information system by 2023. The Armed Forces Staff is reckoning on investment costs of CHF 250 million.

Audit number: 23151

Audit ICT governance - General Secretariat of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport

In its annual programme for 2020, the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) announced that it would audit the ICT governance of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). The audit was subsequently scheduled for 2022, as various factors made it impossible to perform in the preceding years. In light of the findings from the audit preparation in summer 2022, the SFAO decided not to carry out a full audit for the following reasons: The heads of the department and the Defence Group (Group V) have recognised the need for action and the risks in relation to ICT governance, and have initiated corresponding measures. Moreover, the SFAO currently sees no urgent need for action. However, a conclusive evaluation is not yet possible, as the results of these efforts are still outstanding.

Audit number: 20436