Gemeinde Zollikofen

Zollikofen is a municipality situated in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, and operates as a local public authority under the Swiss communal legal framework. As a Gemeinde, it is tasked with managing the affairs of the community within its defined territorial boundaries, acting as the closest level of government to residents and businesses. The organisation fulfils the statutory duties assigned to Swiss municipalities, which include maintaining public registers, overseeing local administrative processes, and facilitating interaction between the populace and cantonal institutions. Its activities are conducted in accordance with the regulations set forth by the Canton of Bern and the federal Confederation, ensuring compliance with national and regional legal standards. Being part of the Canton of Bern places Zollikofen within one of the larger and more populous cantons of Switzerland, linking it to broader cantonal planning and policy initiatives. The municipal administration carries out its functions from offices located in the town of Zollikofen, serving as the operational hub for its public service delivery.

On 23 November 2023, Zollikofen was subjected to a ransomware attack that specifically targeted its information and communication technology infrastructure. The malicious software encrypted administrative data held on the municipality’s networks, leading to a total cessation of ICT services across all departments. Consequently, municipal staff were unable to access internal systems or communicate externally via email or telephone, which severely impeded the execution of routine administrative tasks. The disruption forced the municipality to suspend normal operations until the incident could be addressed and systems restored. An external service provider with expertise in cyber incident response was engaged to investigate the breach, contain the threat, and support recovery efforts. The incident was reported by the Swiss IT news outlet inside-it.ch, drawing attention to the vulnerability of local government entities to cyber threats. The event underscored the extent to which modern municipal administration depends on reliable digital infrastructure for service continuity and public engagement.