National
Test Institute for
Cybersecurity
For a secure and independent Switzerland
The National Test Institute for Cyber Security NTC tests what others do not. The NTC identifies components of digital products and networked infrastructure that are of interest for the society and strategic relevance for Switzerland but have not yet been adequately tested for security and trustworthiness.
Often, distributors, operators and manufacturers of products lack incentives and awareness to have their products tested for vulnerabilities. As a result, unsafe products enter the market that are unregulated and scantly controlled. The NTC identifies and tests such products for vulnerabilities, informs manufacturers, operators, and, when necessary, regulators to reduce the associated cyber risks.
The National Test Institute for Cyber Security NTC guarantees independent testing of the cyber security and trustworthiness of digital products and networked infrastructures and makes a strategic contribution to the security and independence of Switzerland.
The NTC is a national test centre for independent and in-depth testing of the security and trustworthiness of cyber-physical components. It is building up its own testing and research infrastructure in the canton of Zug and works closely with universities, private providers of security tests and international test centres.
The NTC has existed as an association domiciled in the canton of Zug since December 2020.
for NTC customers
for suppliers of NTC customers
Statutes NTC
Focus on maintaining Switzerland's security and sovereignty
Priority is given to audit mandates relating to critical infrastructures, authorities such as the police and the army, as well as audits of networked components that are used in large numbers in the Swiss economy and civil society.
Independence
Independence from all manufacturers has top priority. Financial participation by product manufacturers and service providers is excluded. Any influence of persons and organisations on self-determination and objectivity is completely prevented.
Relationship with the private sector and other stakeholders
The security analysis and assessments carried out by NTC are based on international recommendations and standards, which are extended whenever a deeper analysis is necessary. NTC draws on the numerous existing competencies from private industry, research and educational institutions in Switzerland and abroad to ensure assessments with the appropriate level of competence.
Market neutrality
There is no direct influence on the market for hardware and software components. Tests are not carried out with the purpose of increasing sales promotion by manufacturers or dealers.
He is Head of Cybersecurity at Zühlke Engineering and a member of international programme committees for IT security. He is a speaker at international conferences, author of scientific publications in IT security and cryptography, for which he has received several awards. After studying computer science with a focus on information security, he completed his doctorate with honours in web and cloud security at CISPA and Cornell University. He is a co-developer of SCION at ETH.
Founding member, board member, project management
For more than twelve years, he has taken on corporate and association management mandates as well as consulting and project management tasks with his company ICPRO. He is president of ICT-Berufsbildung Schweiz, senior advisor at digitalswitzerland and a member of the bank council of the Nidwaldner Kantonalbank. As an executive in banks, industry and trade associations, he has led major projects in the areas of strategy, IT sourcing and replacement of IT platforms.
Founding member, board member, executive management, project management
After studying computer science with a specialization in IT security, Tobias Castagna worked for a renowned Swiss cybersecurity service provider for over 13 years. First as a penetration tester and digital forensics specialist, then as head of the Red Teaming & Penetration Testing department and member of the executive management. Tobias Castagna complemented his practical expertise in cybersecurity and hacking with an Executive MBA in General Management studies.
Head of Testing
Annalena Tosi has been working with ICPRO on a wide range of projects and mandates since 2013. As a project manager, she facilitates the successful set-up and management of organisations in the field of digitalisation, politics and cybersecurity. Next to finances and controlling, her area of responsibility also includes communications, conceptual and organisational tasks. She currently attends to the development of the National Test Institute for Cybersecurity NTC and of the Alliance for Digital Security Switzerland ADSS. Also, she supports the policy and cybersecurity departments of the umbrella organisation digitalswitzerland. Within the management of the former umbrella organisation ICTswitzerland (until the merger with digitalswitzerland 2020), Annalena took over the management of the project management and association's administration. During that time, she organised and accompanied the parliamentary seminars in Shenzhen (2014), San Francisco Bay Area (2017) and Israel (2018). Under her project management, Switzerland presented itself as the partner country of CeBIT (2016), at that time the largest trade fair for information technology. Born in Hamburg, she lived in Berlin for many years and studied economics at Freie Universität zu Berlin, specialising in econometrics, finance, growth and business cycle policy. For the past twelve years, Annalena Tosi has been living in Switzerland, where she started her family.
Finance, Project Management
After 14 years in the Netherlands, the native German settled in Switzerland in 2011. Sophie Peggs brings more than 20 years of experience in leading positions in the ICT sector. In sales, marketing and project management, she has successfully developed brands, companies and products internationally. Sophie Peggs has been on board at ICPRO GmbH since January 2022. As a project manager, she accompanies various mandates in the planning and realisation of projects from start to success. Communication and media work are just as much a part of her responsibilities as organisational development work. Sophie Peggs speaks 6 languages, has a Master of Advanced Studies in Brand & Marketing Management and considers lifelong learning essential.
Head of Project Management
The German native from Schleswig-Holstein has lived in central Switzerland since 2005. Katrin Sieber can draw on many years of experience in supply chain and quality management in various industries and international companies. With high adaptability and organizational skills she supports the whole team since July 2022 with everything that comes up.
Office Manager
"It is of central importance for Switzerland's cyber security that we can independently assess the security of hardware and software. With the NTC as an independent testing body, this capability will be expanded, which I support as the Confederation's delegate for cyber security."
Delegate of the Confederation for Cyber Security
"The NTC helps to better assess supply chain risks, especially in critical infrastructures. It thus makes a valuable contribution to the implementation of the National Strategy for the Protection of Switzerland against Cyber Risks and thus to increasing cyber security in Switzerland".
Office of the National Cyber Security Centre NCSC
Publication of the concept paper on the creation of a testing institute for networked devices from the point of view of cyber security.
A survey among operators of critical infrastructures confirms the need for a national cyber security testing institute.
Motion Franz Grüter "Participation of the Confederation in the establishment and operation of the National Test Institute for Cyber Security".
Foundation of the association "National Test Institute for Cyber Security NTC" and entry in the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zug.
In January 2021, the website for the National Cyber Security Testing Institute NTC went live.
On behalf of the National Cyber Security Centre NCSC, the NTC audits the functionalities and security of the Swiss Covid certificate system.
On behalf of an IT service provider for medical, the security of its services was audited.
A cantonal Council resolution concerning the contribution of the Canton of Zug was created to support the establishment of the NTC.
The Cantonal Council Zug decided positively and unanimously on 31.3.2022 on the allocation of CHF 7.55 million as proposed by the Government Council for the National Cyber Security Test Institute NTC.
In its initial phase, the NTC is inviting domestic and foreign experts to collaborate in assessing networked products and digital applications for vulnerabilities. As of now, local and international cybersecurity experts are invited to register for the competence network.
As of 1.11.2022, Tobias Castagna will start as Head of Test Experts. Now the staff build-up starts. Experienced cybersecurity experts, penetration testers and ethical hackers have the opportunity to work on exciting projects from now on.
