Dear members, dear colleagues,
At the end of the year, I was keen to look back on the highlights of the Swiss IT landscape.
The first global event was the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. If this virus has unfortunately had negative effects on the population in terms of health, it has also had positive effects on the IT world through the implementation of teleworking solution, learning tools, in the search for solutions and infrastructure, perhaps better use of IT in general. Companies have been forced to organize themselves better to avoid a production shutdown, a forced improvement that will have long-term benefits for all.
This slowdown has allowed a large number of people to take the time to upgrade their training and skills, both for users and for IT professionals. The figures for ECDL (European Computer Driving License) certifications confirm this fact.
One of the major points of this crisis has shown and made our population aware of the importance of the field of IT: everything today depends on our profession! Hence the importance of being able to count on qualified professionals trained in the best schools, renowned worldwide, and also to preserve these skills in the long term. This preservation can only be achieved by guaranteeing respect for the title and the profession, and by emphasizing continuing education. This is one of the objectives I set for myself when I became president of the SI, which I had already started by getting involved with the Swiss Federation of IT Experts (FSIE).
The second highlight that I would like to mention is the adoption by the National Council of the new data protection law, an event that has gone unnoticed in the troubled media landscape, but which is significant. Switzerland had to adopt new regulations in accordance with our European neighbors who have already put in place the GDPR law for several years. It will be appropriate for companies to implement the recommendations clearly expressed in the law and for the authorities to monitor the application to ensure better processing of our personal data.
Another event less important for our country, but more for our association was the implementation of our Swiss Digital Summit event in virtual mode. This required us to completely rethink our approach to this congress, and the result was greatly appreciated by all participants. We all hope that the next events will be more “human”, although our working material is completely digital.
During our General Assembly in October 2020, in limited face-to-face mode and virtually open to all, we have rebuilt a new team within the SI board committee, with a new president. We will strive in the coming months to work to offer even more services to our members, and for “Swiss Made” IT excellence. It is important for our profession and for our country.
What will happen in 2021 in our IT landscape? Many surprises, and in particular a law on electronic identity (e-ID) to which we will return in a future press release, not forgetting our annual congress on the theme of “IT education”. We will review, and in a broad spectrum (from users to professionals): training, the IT trades, the certification and recognition of our profession, the needs of companies and the objectives of our government. A broad programme, really very interesting, about which we will inform you soon, and which will take place in French-speaking Switzerland.
If viruses are often managed in the computer field, it seems more complex in the sanitary field, so let’s remain prudent, trust the professionals, but continue to live and think positively!
I wish you all, and your loved ones, an excellent Christmas and a good start to the year 2021.
With my warmest greetings,
Your President
Francis Baud
