Berufsbildungszentrum des Kantons Schaffhausen

Berufsbildungszentrum des Kantons Schaffhausen (BBZ SH) is a vocational training centre located in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. It provides vocational education and training programmes for learners seeking professional qualifications in various trades and technical fields. The centre operates as part of the cantonal public education system, offering courses that combine classroom instruction with practical work experience. Its primary mandate is to support the development of skilled workers for the regional labour market.

As a cantonal institution, BBZ SH is funded and overseen by the government of the canton of Schaffhausen. The organisation’s activities are aligned with Swiss vocational training standards and are designed to meet the needs of local industries.

In October 2024, the centre experienced a ransomware attack that targeted its servers through a firewall vulnerability. The attack encrypted critical systems and blocked access, prompting the institution to refuse the attackers’ payment demand. Response efforts involved internal and external IT specialists, coordination with police, and notification to federal cybersecurity authorities and the cantonal data protection office. Although the incident disrupted IT infrastructure, educational activities resumed after the autumn break while forensic analyses continue to assess possible data exfiltration and to guide the implementation of stronger security measures. These ongoing efforts aim to restore full system functionality and to prevent similar incidents in the future.