"Switzerland can and should develop a neutral virtual space"

20. The first Swiss Cyber Risk Research Conference, being held today at EPFL, brings together Swiss and international IT security specialists. EPFL researcher Bryan Ford explains the challenges they face. The cyber security conference taking place today at EPFL's Swiss Tech Convention Center is a forum for experts to discuss cutting-edge research in this field. And this is a field where Switzerland could figure prominently in the coming years. "Long known for its neutral status among nations, Switzerland has a golden opportunity to put the same concept to work in virtual space," said Bryan Ford, an EPFL professor who specializes in decentralized systems, internet security and anonymity. In the post-Snowden digital age, mutual mistrust among the world's major powers is growing.