Could something like that also happen to the Federal Council?

In the crisis around Credit Suisse, the Federal Council used the chat program Threema to exchange ideas quickly. This was shown by the report by the parliamentary investigation commission (PUK). But what precautionary measures apply in the Bundeshaus?

«We have a deal with UBS! Now it still needs the CS. » This was announced by Finance Minister Karin Keller -Sutter on Saturday evening of March 18, 2023 at 8.10 p.m. Via the chat platform Threema. In the report of the Parliamentary Investigation Commission (PUK) it says on the Credit-Suisse.

This is the official evidence that the Federal Council exchanges highly sensitive information in a group about Threema. And this, as the PUK report continues to open, not only in the acute phase of the crisis, but already in the months before. Chat messages are also mentioned in early November 2022, related to a planned meeting on Credit Suisse. This news was sent by the then Federal Council spokesman and Vice Chancellor André Simonazzi.

A completely different group chat in the USA is making headlines these days: President Donald Trump’s security advisors added a journalist to a group in which they planned and discussed attack plans on the Huthis combat troops in Yemen. This on the chat platform signal.

The Federal Council does not plan military strokes, but the question arises: could such a communication span also pass to the Federal Council? How is it ensured that no unauthorized persons of a Federal Council of Chat Group are attached?

Federal Council relies on QR code verification

The Federal Council responsible for the communication of the Federal Council is evident on request taciturn: « Depending on the situation and topic, members of the Federal Council use suitable means of communication, including » Threema Work « . » This channel is available to employees of the federal government as a means for encrypted communication and « confidential », in compliance with the security requirements for information up to the classification level, « , the Federal Chancellery writes in major letters.

And further: « An important requirement for the exchange of information from the classification level » Confidential « is the clear identification of the interlocutors. » This could be guaranteed by a personal QR code verification in “Threema Work”. For security reasons, we announce further details of the Federal Council and security measures.

Apparently, the PUK was convinced by this reasoning to the Credit Suisse. She welcomed the use of Threema by the Federal Council « as a positive contribution to a timely, comprehensive and active internal crisis communication », as the report states. « This was primarily able to make appointments, but also to impart daily information and updates in phases. » The use of the Threema chat group by the Federal Chancellery made it easier to organize the extraordinary meetings these days.

There is nothing to be found in the PUK report on any security risks related to the Threema chat group of the state government.

Microsoft Teams: Federal employees receive help

The Federal Administration has recently been completely switched to Microsoft 365. The Federal Council would have another communication channel in which he could open a group chat: Microsoft Teams. This is also associated with a large data cloud. In this, however, no « data worth protecting » and no confidential documents may be stored, as it says internally.

So that there are no breakdowns, there are extra help. For example, the federal employees – including the federal councils – « support with appropriate software to put down documents in the right place », as it said when the program was introduced.