Which industry has to deal with the most cyberattacks in the age of Industry 4.0? Kaspersky Lab registered predominantly many cyberattacks against organizations from the energy and mechanical engineering and ICS integration industries, at least in the second half of 2017. Lack of cybersecurity of industrial assets can lead to significant consequences for industrial processes and turnover.

In their latest analysis, Kaspersky ICS CERT experts highlight current cyber threats and trends for industrial systems.

For Jörg Mathis, the new Managing Director, it is clear: "Business as usual" is out of the question. "That is not a recipe for success," says Jörg Mathis in a joint interview with Robert Vogel, President GS1 Switzerland, with GS1 network magazine. "We want to move and not continue to go with the flow." In line with the global strategy, he wants to further develop the organization and make it a competent service partner for the business community. "With the common language based on the global GS1 standards, we connect business and enable successful cross-company and cross-border cooperation," says the 33-year-old.

"With Mr Mathis, an extremely competent man with an excellent track record is taking over the management of GS1 Switzerland," says Robert Vogel. His priority will be to implement the strategy, Vogel continues. An even better orientation to the needs of the main sectors of consumer goods, healthcare, transport and logistics as well as new technical industries will be the focus. The work of GS1 Switzerland is to be based on the five elements Connecting - Knowledge - Standardizing - Educating - Advising and will be characterized by the values practical, holistic and future-oriented. "We are convinced that we have made the right choice in Mr Mathis for this important task and look forward to shaping and walking the organisation's future path with him."

From electronics technician to business manager

Jörg Mathis trained as an electronics technician. After completing his vocational baccalaureate, he earned a bachelor's degree in business and engineering at the University of Applied Sciences in Chur. During this time, he initially worked as a software engineer and project manager. He then moved into sales as an Area Sales Manager before being promoted to Sales Manager at Danaher Corporation for Züllig Systems. In 2013, he was promoted to Business Manager of Zuellig Systems and in 2017, he was also promoted to Business Manager of Hach Switzerland. In the past four years, he was in charge of the reorganization and strategic realignment of Züllig Systems as well as the merger with Hach Switzerland and managed about 65 employees. The creation and further development of the corporate strategy was a central task. Jörg Mathis lives in Thal with his partner and has a daughter.

Read the whole interview with Jörg Mathis and Robert Vogel on the website of GS1 Switzerland, the association for sustainable value networks  www.gs1network.ch

On the one hand, artificial intelligence-supported software can reduce the cyber risk for companies through better detection of attacks, experts at Allianz subsidiary AGCS emphasize. However, it could also encourage such attacks by making it easier to plan and execute them on digitized businesses. A single hacker attack - or even a programming error - could be replicated on numerous computers.

This would make major cyber incidents more likely in this country as well. According to Lloyd's, this could result in damages of more than USD 50 billion. A half-day outage of a cloud provider alone could cause damages of around 850 million US dollars. In its new study "The Rise of Artificial Intelligence: Future Outlook and Emerging Risks", Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) identifies the benefits of the increasing implementation of AI in business and society, but also points out the emerging risks posed by the new technology.

Autonomous vehicles

In the case of autonomous vehicles, too, experts are placing high expectations in artificial intelligence. For example, the new technology could largely eliminate human error as the main cause of road accidents. Nevertheless, it remains largely unclear who is liable in the event of an accident and what ethical principles autonomous vehicles should follow in dilemma situations when the health and lives of other road users are at stake.

According to the AGCS experts, the insurance industry has a key role to play in minimizing or insuring against new risks posed by AI applications. Traditional coverages must be adapted in order to protect both private individuals and companies accordingly, the study continues. In addition, insurers must be able to offer companies better solutions for such risks as cyberattacks, business interruptions, product recalls and reputational damage.

For example, Allianz experts believe that new liability insurance models are likely to prevail that place greater obligations on manufacturers and software providers and limit the strict liability of consumers.

And yet: "AI has enormous potential for insurers. Initially, it will support the automation of processes to speed up and improve policy issuance or claims handling for customers," emphasizes Michael Bruch, Head of Emerging Trends at AGCS. "Whether for business, politics, mobility, health, defense or the environment, AI brings multiple benefits, but also potential risks. We urgently need preventive risk mitigation measures to maximize the net benefits of mass deployment and reduce unintended side effects," the expert urges.

Allianz study: Artificial intelligence makes companies more vulnerable to major losses

  - Artificial intelligence (AI) makes companies more vulnerable to major losses from cyberattacks and technical failure

   - Responsibility is shifting from humans to machines: companies are faced with new, often still unresolved, challenges. Liability issues

   - Maximizing the net benefits of AI through predictive risk management with a focus on five areas: software availability, security, accountability, liability

    and ethics

   - Insurance industry uses AI to automate processes, analyze risk and improve customer interactions

The study (English Version) is available under this link http://ots.ch/5sFdSF available.

Digitalisation is now everywhere, including in association work. Communicating with its members and other reference groups in real time or keeping a blog is now also part of association communication. Thanks to electronic media, communication has become faster and more direct, and access to information easier. New media do not replace traditional media, but complement them. How do associations tackle this challenge? In order to find an answer to this question, the VMI, in cooperation with Stämpfli, conducted an online survey of member-based NPOs last autumn. A total of 331 Swiss organizations took part.

Digital is on the rise, print remains important

"Unsurprisingly, it is primarily their own website and the electronic newsletter that are gaining in importance for many associations," says Nathalie Maring from the VMI, "other digital channels will also become more important in the future, but to what extent remains to be seen. On the other hand, a replacement of personal communication by digital channels is not being considered by the majority. Traditional print products such as trade journals and traditional advertising are losing strategic relevance, although these are not being replaced by the new media, but rather complemented.

For associations, the selection of target-oriented media is becoming increasingly challenging due to scarce resources. "It is interesting that many NPOs do not manage their communication activities with an overarching, written concept," Nathalie Maring notes, "even though it would make it easier for them to reflect on and continuously optimize their communication."

You will find further exciting findings on Swiss association communication in the detailed final report, which is available now.

Interested? Order a copy of the study at www.verbandskommunikation.ch.

The fact that Swiss engineers are valued is reflected in the change of leadership at the ÅF Group. Alongside Sweden and Norway, Switzerland becomes the most strategically important country for the international group.

The ÅF Group

The change in management is part of a change in strategy. The aim of this change is to expand the company's activities in Switzerland in addition to its strong international business. Roberto Gerosa, member of the ÅF Group Executive Board and Chairman of the Board of Directors of AF-Consult Switzerland explains: "The ÅF Group invested in the Swiss market last year with the acquisition of AF Toscano. Now we want to grow in the Swiss energy market with AF-Consult Switzerland and further expand our leading position." The two Swiss companies now employ around 800 people, generate sales of over CHF 100 million and are spread across 22 offices in all four parts of the country.

"Switzerland is a very important market for ÅF," says Andrea Galli. "As part of the change in strategy, Switzerland was defined as the most strategically important country, along with Sweden and Norway. The ÅF Group sees Switzerland as a market with strong growth potential, where high-quality expertise and services are valued. We want to secure jobs and create more. I am convinced that we will succeed in this with an increased regional focus." Andrea Galli comes from AF Toscano, which was acquired in 2017, and therefore knows the Swiss market very well. With the strategy adjustment and the new sister in the infrastructure sector, he sees AF-Consult Switzerland in the best possible position to expand its offering for the Swiss market organically or through acquisitions.

In addition to the change in management, the position of Head of Financial Services will also be filled by Roland Roth. Hubert Hosp will be responsible for the expansion of the global Transmission & Distribution business of the ÅF Group. The Group's global roots also ensure that the challenges of the energy transition can be tackled with global expertise.

AF-Consult Switzerland currently employs 400 people, 200 of whom work at the Baden site. This makes AF-Consult Switzerland one of the largest market players in the energy and environmental technology sector in Switzerland.

www.afconsult.com

What the Swiss understand by quality: High product usage. As this year's "Trusted Brands 2018" survey by Reader's Digest shows, quality is the number one reason for the purchase decision (89 percent of responses).

Quality also guarantees high customer loyalty in Switzerland. For the first time, Reader's Digest has investigated what Swiss consumers understand by quality in the "Trusted Brands 2018" survey. The list of the most trusted brands is surprisingly consistent.

The important five

When asked about brand quality aspects, the study participants focused on five factors. At the top of the list, with 90 percent of the answers, is service life, followed by reliability (89 percent), functionality (74 percent), service (73 percent) and sustainability (71 percent). At 48 percent, design plays a much smaller role. Even further behind is the prestige of a brand with 24 percent.

The top performers 2018 at a glance

(by categories)

• Non-alcoholic beverages Coca-Cola
• Automobiles: VW
• Banks: Raiffeisen Bank
• Clothing: H&M
• Sweets: Ricola
• Household appliances: Miele  
• Coffee: Nespresso
• Cosmetics: Nivea
• Health insurance companies: CSS       
• Credit cards: Mastercard
• Life insurance: Swiss Life
• Mattresses: Bico          
• Natural remedy: Similasan
• Opticians/brands of glasses: Fielmann
• Outdoor/Sport: Nike
• Property insurance: Furniture
• Petrol stations/petrol: Coop
• TV/Internet/Mobile: Swisscom
• Vitamin products: Burgerstein
• Detergent: Persil

(Source: "Trusted Brands" by Reader's Digest)

The importance of the five top factors increases almost continuously with the age of the survey participants. While 84 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds strongly weight the service life of a product, the figure is no less than 94 percent for those over 60.

A similar picture emerges for reliability. 86 percent of the youngest age group (18 - 29 years) demand low susceptibility to faults, while among the oldest (over 60 years) the figure is a full 93 percent. However, the proportions are reversed when it comes to design: 57 percent of the young (18 - 29 years), but only 46 of the older people (more than 60 years) judge a product by its appearance, colors and shape.

Unbroken loyalty

The leading brands have managed to keep their promise of quality over a long period of time, thereby repeatedly consolidating customer trust. In fourteen of the twenty categories examined, the brands have defended their top position in the trust bonus over the past three years.

A particular sign of the consistency of the ratios is the fact that in only one of the twenty categories (Outdoor/Sport) has a new brand prevailed every year since 2016. How well leading brand images are anchored is proven a fortiori by the fact that VW continues to convince as a brand and enjoys the highest level of trust of all car brands, even after the ongoing negative reports about the manipulation of emissions values.

To the study of "Trusted Brands" by reader's digest

Last year, 59 cases of white-collar crime in Switzerland caused damage amounting to CHF 426 million. Compared to the previous year, however, the volume of losses fell significantly: from CHF 1.4 billion to CHF 426 million, whereby the all-time high in 2016 was primarily due to a case with a loss volume of CHF 800 million and three cases with a volume of over CHF 125 million each.

Compared to the long-term average of CHF 512 million, the volume of claims in 2017 was slightly below average.

The most common offences in the area of white-collar crime in 2017 were commercial or simple fraud and embezzlement. The motivation for the perpetrators was often to finance a lavish lifestyle or to pay off debts. As in previous years, private investors were the most affected victim group. Losses here amounted to around CHF 162 million, which corresponds to an average loss of CHF 20.2 million per case.

Great damage in the case of acts committed jointly

Due to their special position in the company, managers still potentially pose the greatest danger. The analysis shows that managers were responsible for the highest total loss in 2017 (compared to other offender groups) at CHF 120.9 million. Employees showed a total loss of CHF 117.4 million, but after deducting an individual case of CHF 100 million, the total drops to CHF 17.4 million, which corresponds to an average loss of CHF 1.7 million. In comparison, the average tort amount for management was CHF 11 million.

In 2017, it was once again evident that acts committed jointly by management and employees have particularly serious consequences: The average loss in the three cases amounted to over CHF 25 million.

Example 1: Embezzlement

A former asset manager speculated in the course of his work at a bank and covered the resulting book losses with misappropriated assets of his clients. The financial loss amounts to around CHF 100 million.

Example 2: Ponzi scheme

In another case, the perpetrator acted according to the snowball principle and promised investors high returns on their deposits. Some of the money was invested, but the perpetrators used the bulk of the assets for self-enrichment. In the process, a loss of CHF 73 million was incurred.

High number of unreported cases

Every year, the KPMG Forensic Fraud Barometer records court cases that have been publicly heard and published in the media. It does not include crimes that are reported to the police but never lead to convictions. Moreover, experience shows that the majority of crimes are not even reported to the police. "The reasons for this lie in the companies' fear of reputational damage should the offences become public," Matthias Kiener, Head of Forensics at KPMG Switzerland, summarises the problem. "In addition, the fact that the perpetrators of cybercrime, for example, cannot be identified with a reasonable amount of effort plays a decisive role," adds Nico van der Beken, Head of Forensic Technology at KPMG Switzerland.

Further information and details on the "KPMG Forensic Fraud Barometer" can be obtained from KPMG AG

www.kpmg.ch

From 25 May 2018, the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be enforceable with direct effect for Swiss companies. The Swiss Data Protection Act is currently being consulted on and the revised DPA is also due to come into force in autumn 2018 - there is pressure and a need for Swiss companies to adapt.

This article highlights some key aspects of the EU data protection law for Switzerland.

Protection of the legal person

Many new adjustments were formulated in the European Parliament in order to harmonise the GDPR with all European countries, including the Swiss workplace (recital 137). Thus, in the future, all processing directed at EU citizens and involving personal data of EU citizens or employees must comply with the GDPR.

The introduction of the European law thus puts pressure not only on German companies, but also on Swiss exporters, mail order companies, operators of online sites, and generally on sectors of the Swiss ICT, communications, legal/controlling, advertising and data economy industries. However, the protection of legal entities is to be unbundled.

The actual risk assessment will move to the data-processing staff or data protection officers from 2018.

Rights of the data subjects

The principle of "informational self-determination" remains valid. It means that the rights and obligations of the data subjects are improved. These obligations are listed under Article 7 of the EU GDPR. However, the data subject has the right to revoke consent at any time.

On the one hand, however, in the light of possible sanctions and criminal prosecution, individuals or sole traders could be confronted with more organisational handicaps in terms of the general terms and conditions, standard contracts, data protection policies and processes that have to be complied with.

Likewise, the criminal investigations of the Federal Data Protection Commissioner FDPIC will be called upon more often. The catalogue of tasks of the FDPIC has been significantly expanded (including Art. 37, Art. 5, Art. 7, Art. 16, Art. 17), which could lead to a "bureaucratisation" of the authority (source: Management & Quality 06/2017).

Obligations of the controller and processor

What is new is that certain data protection breaches must be reported to the competent supervisory authority within 72 hours of becoming known, and the person concerned must be informed without delay. The provision of a data protection officer (internal or external) will therefore also be an important issue for Swiss employers.

The responsible (data) processor must be in a position to submit data to anyone, or to correct it - and must be able to inform the data protection officer immediately if manipulation or loss of personal data is feared (Art. 17). There is now a permanent right of access to all data files and actions concerning changes to data (Art. 20). This right also explicitly relates to the retention period.

Thus, the FADP also explicitly provides for the right to erasure, which could even be exercised by the heirs of the data subject ("digital death", Art. 12).

Attention: Automated processes

A significant innovation concerns the consideration of new techniques that have become established on the Internet in recent years. This includes, for example, so-called profiling (Art. 3(1)(f)), i.e. the generation of personality profiles on the basis of publicly available data (part of "big data").

Also of great importance are so-called automatic or autonomous decisions (Art. 15). These are online decisions that are made on the basis of automatic processes (no interaction by a human being, such as fully automated credit checks). This area does not include personal data such as genetic, biometric or criminal surveys.

In general, the regulation of order data processing - subject to contractual and technical adjustments - will soon also receive increased attention in Switzerland.

For further information on which business areas are affected by the EU regulation in Switzerland, please refer to our recently published issues of "Management & Qualität" (issue 3/2018) and "Organisator" (issue 1/2 2018). This text has also been translated into French for the current print edition of Management & Quality.  

Risk analysis, testing and certification

The Europe-wide General Data Protection Regulation also obliges Swiss companies to be more risk-oriented. Companies should know every last detail of the EU GDPR by 25 May 2018, which rights and obligations the "data subjects" are subject to in transnational data processing. The official audit, called data protection impact assessment (Art. 16), is also required in case of negligent omissions in data protection processing. The Federal Data Protection Commissioner has three months to assess compliance with the law. In addition, data protection-specific certification procedures could become more relevant as proof of GDPR compliance. (mm)

http://www.edoeb.admin.ch

"Logistics has become a complex task at the interface between engineering and management," says Prof. Dr. Jörg von Garrel, head of the new Industrial Engineering and Logistics (B.Sc.) program at Mobile University. Companies need specialists with both mathematical, engineering and business management skills, who can plan, manage and control processes and even entire production systems, for example".

With the technological-business management degree program, Mobile University is responding to the increasing demand for experts in Germany's third-largest economic sector. The quality leader in the distance learning market thus enables professionals in the logistics industry to study flexibly with scientifically sound, subject-specific content and application-oriented knowledge. This enables students to design, control and implement complex logistics processes, systems and global production and information networks.

Study contents and fields of activity

The new degree program combines the fields of logistics, engineering, management as well as mathematics and natural sciences. With the specialization in the two directions "Logistics and IT (SAP)" and "Planning and Simulation", a personal profile formation is possible in addition to the comprehensive knowledge acquisition. The SRH Fernhochschule pursues an application-oriented approach so that graduates are able to work at the interface between technology and practice and to apply the knowledge acquired during their studies in practice. In addition to the professors with practical experience and various company visits, the practical and laboratory units are a special feature of the course. In the SAP lab and in visualization and simulation seminars, students learn to solve practical challenges, among other things.

For graduates of the Bachelor's degree programme in Industrial Engineering and Logistics (B.Sc.), a broad career field opens up in middle and higher positions in industrial companies, service providers and administration. Concrete tasks can be: production planning and control, process management and quality management at companies in various industries, as well as engineering at IT service providers. In this study program, students benefit from the cooperation with the logistics expert, the SRH University of Applied Sciences for Logistics and Business, and the SRH Fernhochschule as a quality leader in the field of distance learning.

Detailed information on the Bachelor's programme in Industrial Engineering and Management Logistics at www.mobile-university.de/de/fernstudium/bachelor/wirtschaftsingenieurwesen-logistik/ 

A comprehensive insight into the study programme is provided by the video Studying Industrial Engineering and Logistics at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTPrNLrzckw

The pr suisse certificate is based on the international standard SN EN ISO/IEC 17024. It is nationally and internationally recognised, comparable and protected. The first certificate audit is scheduled for autumn 2018.

The variety of tertiary level communication degrees and titles that exist in the marketplace makes it difficult for employers to reliably assess the competencies of communication specialists. At the same time, the value of continuing education continues to grow, as employees are aware that continuing education with a recognised qualification is career enhancing.

For their part, employers and clients expect their employees in senior communications positions to provide efficient and solution-oriented advice and implementation in every situation.

Evidence for expert status

A central objective of pr suisse is to promote the reputation of the profession and to identify the high quality level of communication consulting in agencies, companies, authorities and NGO/NPO. The newly created personal certificate "Certified Communications Consultant" or "Certified Consultant in Strategic Communication" is intended to significantly promote the profession nationally and internationally, regardless of educational qualifications, and to set a quality standard for the entire industry.

In business, personal certificates have gained importance in various industries in recent years. They provide the holder with expert status in the areas of strategy, consulting and leadership due to their professional competence and solid professional experience. For employers, the personal certificate is a valuable assessment and decision-making basis for personnel recruitment.

Case study instead of knowledge test

Any person who works in the communications industry in Switzerland or abroad and provides the required theoretical and practical proof of competence can be certified. Admission to the certificate examination is calculated according to a points system. The certification is not a knowledge examination. Using a case study as an example, candidates' competencies are tested orally and in writing by established experts accredited by the Swiss Association for Quality (SAQ).

Recertification takes place through written proof of continuing education achievements^within five years. Certification is carried out under the supervision of the neutral and independent certification organisation SAQ, which is controlled by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS). The latter is subordinate to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

The first exam is scheduled for the fall of 2018. The date will be published in good time on www.prsuisse/personal-certificate published

The Department of Computer Science at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts has been researching blockchain for a while now. The increasingly important technology could completely transform the economy or state administrations. The European Union has also recognised the potential of blockchain. With the help of the "EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum", which it founded, it wants to monitor and help shape the development of this technology. This is an international research association that is intended to advise political decision-makers.

https://www.hslu.ch/de-ch/informatik/