Schweizerische Zentralverein für das Blindenwesen (SZBLIND)

The Schweizerische Zentralverein für das Blindenwesen (SZBLIND), also known as the Union centrale suisse pour le bien des aveugles (UCBA), is a Swiss organization dedicated to the welfare of blind and visually impaired persons. Its name indicates that it functions as a central association for blind welfare in Switzerland. The organization works to support individuals with visual impairments through services and advocacy. It operates within Switzerland and collaborates with member organizations and stakeholders to fulfill its mission.

In April 2025, SZBLIND disclosed that its IT network had been targeted by hackers, leading to a probable data breach of unknown extent. Upon discovery, the organization activated security measures, engaged external specialists, notified relevant authorities, and launched a detailed investigation. It stated that the incident appeared to be a professional attack and committed to informing stakeholders as further information became available. Although reachable by phone and email, the organization could operate only at reduced capacity while it worked to secure data and restore affected systems. Member organizations, clients, volunteer companions, and communication assistants were notified of the incident. This event highlights the organization’s reliance on digital infrastructure and its response capabilities in the face of cyber threats.