Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication

After the federal administration of Switzerland had grown considerably during the Second World War, efforts were made in the immediate post-war period to reduce the size of the administration. In this context, staff cuts were made and further rationalization measures were introduced. In 1953, the Federal Council decided to set up a coordination office for cost-cutting and rationalization efforts within the federal administration. In 1954, the Federal Assembly (Swiss parliament) finally passed a federal law establishing a Central Office for Organisational Matters of the Federal Administration (ZOB), which was located in the Department of Finance and Customs and was tasked with reviewing the appropriateness and effectiveness of the organization and working methods of the federal administration and identifying opportunities for cost savings.{{cite web |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/fga/1954/2_537_529_713/de |title=BBl 1954 II 537 Bundesgesetz über die Zentralstelle für Organisationsfragen der Bundesverwaltung (Vom 6. Oktober 1954) |last=The publication platform for federal law Fedlex |first= |date=14 October 1954 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=BBl 1954 II 537 Federal Act on the Central Office for Organizational Matters of the Federal Administration (of October 6, 1954)}} The rapid development of electronics in the field of office machines prompted the Federal Council to pass a resolution on December 16, 1960, in which it expanded the ZOB's remit to include the coordination of all federal administration efforts in the field of automation and created a Coordination Office for Automation within the ZOB.{{cite web |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/fga/1962/1_780__/de |title=BBl 1962 I 780 Bericht der Finanzdelegation der eidgenössischen Räte an die Finanzkommissionen des Nationalrates und des Ständerates über ihre Tätigkeit im Jahre 1961 (Vom 1.Februar 1962) |last=The publication platform for federal law Fedlex |first= |date=15 April 1962 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Report of the Finance Delegation of the Federal Assembly to the Finance Committees of the National Council and the Council of States on its activities in 1961 (dated February 1, 1962)}}Until the early 1970s, the federal administration had four general data centers: the Federal Administration Data Center, the Federal Military Department Data Center, the ETH Zurich Data Center, and the EPFL Data Center.{{cite book |last=Steiner |first=Kurt |date=1973 |editor-last=Verwaltungspraxis |title=Zum Stand der elektronischen Datenverarbeitung in der Bundesverwaltung |publisher=Book Publishers |pages=230–231 |chapter=Booklet 8/9 |language=de |trans-title=On the status of electronic data processing in the federal administration}} In addition to the general data centers, there were still only a few decentralized data processing services with their own equipment and staff in 1973, such as the Meteorological Central Office in Zurich, the Central Compensation Office of the OASI in Geneva, the Federal Tax Administration, the Cashier's and Accounting Office, the Federal Customs Administration, the Institute for Nuclear Research, and the computer center of the construction workshop and ammunition factory in Thun. Overall, spending on IT equipment in the federal administration rose rapidly from around 10 million Swiss francs in 1963 to around 30 million Swiss francs in 1968, to around 140 million Swiss francs in 1973, and finally to around 214 million Swiss francs in 1978.{{cite web |url= https://www.bar.admin.ch/bar/de/home/service-publikationen/verwaltungsgeschichte/forschungsberichte.html |title= Supportaufgaben in der Bundesverwaltung 1918–2000. Forschungsbericht |last=Fehr |first=Sandro |date=30 November 2011 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title= Support tasks in the federal administration 1918–2000. Research report.}}{{cite web |url=https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000587758 |title=Wie der Verwaltungscomputer die Arbeitsmigration programmierte. Elektronische Datenverarbeitung in der Bundesverwaltung 1964–1982 (Dissertation) |last=Mähr |first=Moritz |date=2022 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=How the administrative computer programmed labor migration. Electronic data processing in the federal administration, 1964–1982.}}

In terms of organization, the ZOB, which was created in 1955, was upgraded to the Federal Office for Organization (BFO) in 1980, with its responsibility for IT confirmed. The corresponding task in the federal law of 1980 was: “Promotes, coordinates, and monitors automatic data processing and ensures overall planning.” In addition, the Federal Office was authorized to issue technical guidelines on the appropriate and economical use of automatic data processing resources. The procurement and use of automatic data processing equipment and the necessary planning work within the federal administration continued to require the approval of the Federal Office.{{cite web |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/fga/1980/3_1432_1424_1451/de |title=BBl 1980 III 1432. Bundesgesetz über das Bundesamt für Organisation vom 19. Dezember 1980 |last=The publication platform for federal law Fedlex |first= |date=30 December 1980 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=BBl 1980 III 1432. Federal Act on the Federal Office for Organization of December 19, 1980}}

As part of the EFFI-QM-BV efficiency improvement project,{{cite web |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/fga/1996/4_811__/de |title=BBl 1996 IV 811 Bericht der Geschäftsprüfungskommission des Nationalrates vom 15. November 1993 «Evaluation EFFI-QM-BV» Stellungnahme des Bundesrates vom 17. Juni 1996 |last=The publication platform for federal law Fedlex |first= |date=15 October 1996 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=BBl 1996 IV 811 Report of the National Council's Audit Committee of 15 November 1993 «Evaluation EFFI-QM-BV» Opinion of the Federal Council of 17 June 1996}} new management structures based on the principles of New Public Management (NPM) were created in the federal administration in 1990. This also involved the principle of separating advisory and supervisory functions, which led to the dissolution of the BFO and the creation of a new Federal Office for Information Technology (BfI).{{cite web |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/fga/1990/2_1259_1191_975/de |title=BBl 1990 II 1259 Geschäftsverkehrsgesetz Änderung vom 22. Juni 1990 |last=The publication platform for federal law Fedlex |first= |date=3 July 1990 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=BBl 1990 II 1259. Business Transactions Act. Amendment of June 22, 1990}} This new cross-departmental office was responsible for handling interdepartmental conceptual and technical IT issues and had operational responsibility for interdepartmental IT applications. It was also tasked with supporting and advising federal administrative units in the field of IT and, in collaboration with the Federal IT Conference (IKB), issuing technical guidelines on the use of IT standards and norms. The Federal Office also developed its own IT applications, made its IT infrastructure available to administrative units, and performed IT tasks on behalf of other offices.{{cite web |url=https://www.amtsdruckschriften.bar.admin.ch/detailView.do?id=30002314 |title=Verordnung über das Bundesamt für Informatik und über die Koordination der Informatik in der Bundesverwaltung (VINFBV) vom 11. Dezember 1989. In: AS 1990, S. 1537-1540. |last=Swiss Federal Archives |first= |date=9 October 1990 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Ordinance on the Federal Office for Information Technology and on the coordination of information technology in the federal administration (VINFBV) of December 11, 1989.}}Meanwhile, the Federal Office for Information Technology focused on technology. Of the 172 employees at the outset, around 75 percent worked in the Rechenzentrum der allgemeinen Bundesverwaltung (RZ BV) ({{in lang|en}} General Federal Administration Computer Center). The remaining employees were involved in user training, services, and planning. By 1999, the number of employees had grown to 230. The director of the BfI, Henri Garin, headed the office until it was transferred to the Federal Office of Information Technology and Telecommunications in 1999. One of his first projects was the construction of a new central administrative building in Bern{{cite web |url=https://www.openhouse-bern.org/programm/titanic |title=Verwaltungsgebäude Titanic II |last=Federal Office of Culture (FOC) |first=Open House Bern |date= |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Titanic II administration building}} at a cost of CHF 130 million. Until then, the BfI had been housed at four locations within the city of Bern, which had various disadvantages: workrooms and certain equipment had to be duplicated, management and communication were difficult, and the peripheral location of the IT operations caused time losses in delivering and retrieving data carriers and extensive printing work (at that time, the computer center printed more than 10 million pages of paper annually). In addition, around 5,000 data carriers were exchanged annually with other IT systems at the federal, cantonal, and private businesses level. As part of the government and administrative reforms in the second half of the 1990s, the areas of IT and communications were also examined in depth. This revealed that, due to the rapid development of technology and the virtually nationwide introduction of IT from small beginnings within a short period of time, as well as the tense situation on the labor market for IT specialists, even during times of recession, development had been uncoordinated. However, management and control were identified as the most significant weaknesses in the federal administration's IT sector.{{cite web |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/fga/2000/336/de |title= BBl 2000 1641 Botschaft über die Finanzierung der Reorganisation der Informatik und Telekommunikation in der Bundesverwaltung (NOVE-IT) vom 23. Februar 2000. In: BBl 2000, Bd. 1, S. 1644. |last=The publication platform for federal law Fedlex |first= |date=28 March 2000 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Federal Council Dispatch on the financing of the reorganization of information technology and telecommunications in the federal administration (NOVE-IT) dated February 23, 2000}} In 2000, the Federal Council therefore decided to reorganize federal IT by means of the Ordinance on Information Technology and Telecommunications in the Federal Administration (BinfV) and the Federal IT and Telecommunications Directive (BInfW).{{cite web |url=https://www.amtsdruckschriften.bar.admin.ch/detailView.do?id=10120233#1 |title=Verordnung über die Informatik und Telekommunikation in der Bundesverwaltung (Bundesinformatikverordnung, BinfV) vom 23. Februar 2000, in: AS 2000, S. 1227-1238; Weisungen des Bundesrates über die Informatik und Telekommunikation in der Bundesverwaltung (Informatikweisungen Bundesrat, BInfW) vom 23. Februar 2000, in: BBl 2000, Bd. 1, S. 2853–2859. |last=Swiss Federal Archives |first= |date=23 February 2000 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title= Ordinance on Information Technology and Telecommunications in the Federal Administration (Federal IT Ordinance, BinfV) of February 23, 2000.; Federal Council directives on information technology and telecommunications in the Federal Administration (Federal Council IT Directives, BInfW) of February 23, 2000}} Essentially, three different roles were defined: The Federal Council for Information Technology ({{in lang|de}} Informatikrat des Bundes, IRB), composed of representatives from the departments and the Federal Chancellery, was to act as a staff, planning, and coordination body with overall strategic responsibility for IT in the Federal Administration. All departments, the Federal Chancellery and the administrative units that used IT services were designated as service users ({{in lang|de}} Leistungsbezüger, LB). IT services were provided by service providers ({{in lang|de}} Leistungserbringer, LE), which supplied IT infrastructure, developed solutions and provided support. There could be no more than one LE per department, which effectively meant centralization of IT services at the departmental level. However, the ordinance also allowed departments to pursue further centralization by merging departmental service providers into interdepartmental units. In addition to this organization, it was stipulated that certain cross-departmental services to be determined by the Federal Council for Information technology (IRB) should be provided centrally for all departments by the new Federal Office of Information Technology and Telecommunications (FOITT), which was formed from the former Federal Office of Information Technology. These included, in particular, civil data and voice communications – i.e., telecommunications, internet, and intranet – cross-departmental applications, so-called holistic IT services such as consulting, design, operation, and support, organization of courses, ensuring interoperability, and disaster preparedness. However, the BIT could also serve as an IT service provider for departments, which was initially the case for the home department, the FDF, and the Federal Chancellery, and was later extended to other departments. In addition to organizational realignment and restructuring, the data centers were merged, an SAP competence center and an application development department were created, and the automation of data acquisition and the development of nationwide telecommunications services with connections to the cantons and embassies abroad were pushed forward.

The Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication FOITT was founded on July 1, 1999.{{cite web |url=https://www.admin.ch/cp/d/378084A5.59ECD737@gs-efd.admin.ch.html |title=Startschuss für die neue Bundesinformatik im EFD |last=Federal Department of Finance FDF |first= |date=1 July 1999 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Start for the new federal IT within the Federal Department of Finance}} The first director was Marius Redli (born April 3, 1950; died September 6, 2021),{{cite web |url=https://www.hommages.ch/de/traueranzeige/marius-redli |title=Todesanzeige Markus Redli |last=Berner Zeitung |first=Berner Zeitung and Der Bund |date=11 September 2021 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Obituary notice Marius Redli}} an ETH engineer{{cite web |url=http://www.redli-consulting.ch |title=Lebenslauf von Marius Redli |last=Redli |first=Marius |date= |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Resume of Marius Redli}} who was deputy director of the main department for operations and data communications in the predecessor organization from 1992 to 1994 and deputy director from 1994 to 1999. The NOVE-IT project (2000–2004){{cite web |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/fga/2000/336/de |title=BBl 2000 1641 Botschaft über die Finanzierung der Reorganisation der Informatik und Telekommunikation in der Bundesverwaltung (NOVE-IT) |last=The publication platform for federal law Fedlex |first= |date=28 March 2000 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Federal Council Dispatch on the financing of the reorganization of information technology and telecommunications in the federal administration (NOVE-IT)}}{{cite web |url=https://www.admin.ch/cp/d/403ccce5_1@presse1.admin.ch.html |title=NOVE-IT erfolgreich abgeschlossen |last=FDF |first= Federal Department of Finance |date=25 February 2004 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=NOVE-IT successfully completed}} restructured the entire IT system of the Federal Administration. This involved separating service users from service providers and assigning cross-cutting tasks such as telecommunications, IT training, competence centers for the Internet and SAP, operational security, etc. to the FOITT. These were tasks that had to be performed for the entire federal administration. As a result, IT and telecommunications services (ICT) for the FDF and the Federal Chancellery were consolidated, the five existing data centers of the FOITT, the Federal Finance Administration (FAA), the Federal Tax Administration, the Federal Customs, and the Central Compensation Office were merged, the infrastructures were harmonized, and the employees were integrated into the FOITT. At the beginning of the 2000s, there was a shortage of IT specialists in the federal administration.{{cite web |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/finanzplatz-schweiz/informatiker-mangel-beim-bund/1955202 |title=Informatiker-Mangel beim Bund |last=SWI swissinfo.ch |first= |date=25 March 2001 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Shortage of computer scientists in the federal government}} In 2003, the FOITT took over service provision for the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications and in 2007 for the Federal Department of Home Affairs, as well as office automation for the Federal Department of Justice and Police. Later, Publica, the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, the Federal Administrative Court in St. Gallen, Swissmedic, and the Federal Office of Sport became FOITT customers. These steps involved integrating the new employees into FOITT, adapting the organization, management processes and culture, harmonizing the infrastructure and exploiting the resulting economies of scale to increase efficiency. Since its foundation, BIT has grown from 230 to 1,200 employees. Since 2003, the FOITT has been competing with third parties{{cite web |url=https://www.itreseller.ch/Artikel/18907/Outsourcing_schreckt_das_BIT_auf.html |title=Outsourcing schreckt das BIT auf |last=IT Reseller |first= |date=April 2004 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Outsourcing scares the BIT}} and, since 2007, has been run as a FLAG agencyFLAG = Führung mit Leistungsauftrag und Globalbudget ({{in lang|en}} Management with performance mandate and global budget{{cite web |url=https://www.itmagazine.ch/artikel/25107/BIT_FLAG-Amt_statt_Outsourcing.html |title=BIT: FLAG-Amt statt Outsourcing. Das Bundesamt für Informatik und Telekommunikation wird nicht ausgelagert, sondern erhält mehr Autonomie. |last=IT Magazine |first= |year=2004 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=BIT: FLAG office instead of outsourcing. The Federal Office for Information Technology and Telecommunications will not be outsourced, but will instead be given more autonomy.}}{{cite web |url=https://www.news.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=9762 |title=Leistungsauftrag 2007-2011 für das neue FLAG-Amt BIT verabschiedet |last=Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication FOITT |first= |date=15 December 2006 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title= 2007-2011 performance mandate for the new FLAG office BIT approved }} with a performance mandate from the Federal Council and a global budget (over CHF 440 million in 2010). In 2010, it was announced that Marius Redli would be stepping down after 12 years in office, during which he had built the FOITT into one of the five largest IT service providers in Switzerland.{{cite web |url=https://www.news.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=35993 |title=BIT-Direktor Marius Redli tritt nach 12 Jahren zurück |last= Federal Department of Finance FDF |first= |date=1 November 2010 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=BIT Director Marius Redli steps down after 12 years}}{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-it.ch/post/nun-also-doch-bit-chef-marius-redli-geht-20101101 |title=Noch kein Nachfolger |last=Inside IT |first= |date=1 November 2010 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=No successor yet}}

In 2011, the Federal Council appointed Giovanni Conti to succeed Marius Redli.{{cite web |url=https://www.news.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=38735 |title=Von der Swisscom ins Bundesamt. Giovanni Conti wird BIT-Direktor |last=FDF |first=Federal Department of Finance |date=20 April 2011 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Federal Council appoints Giovanni Conti as new BIT Director}}{{cite news |title=Von der Swisscom ins Bundesamt. Giovanni Conti wird BIT-Direktor |date=21 April 2011 |publisher=Neue Zürcher Zeitung NZZ |language=de |trans-title=From Swisscom to the Federal Office. Giovanni Conti becomes BIT Director}}{{cite web |url=https://www.itreseller.ch/Artikel/67069/Swisscom-Mann_wird_neuer_Direktor_des_BIT.html |title=Swisscom-Mann wird neuer Direktor des BIT |last=IT Reseller |first= |date=May 2011 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Swisscom executive appointed new director of BIT}} After just six months, Conti launched a reorganization project for its 1,100 internal and 400 external employees. The aim was to refocus the company on customer orientation and improve consistency between the four historically grown divisions. In November 2011, Conti halted the “Gever Office” project developed in collaboration with Microsoft, which had cost several million Swiss francs to date.{{cite news |title=Neuer Chef will Bundesamt für Informatik umbauen |date=5 February 2012 |publisher=NZZ am Sonntag |language=de |trans-title=New boss wants to restructure Federal Office of Information Technology}} Due to differing views on the further development of the FOITT, the employment relationship with Conti was terminated in mid-June 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.bit.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=75162 |title=Direktor Giovanni Conti verlässt das BIT |last= Federal Department of Finance FDF |first= |date=22 May 2019 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Director Giovanni Conti leaves BIT}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nzz.ch/schweiz/bundesamt-fuer-informatik-abrupter-wechsel-an-der-spitze-ld.1483843 |title=Abrupter Wechsel an der Spitze des Bundesamts für Informatik |last=Neue Zürcher Zeitung NZZ |first= |date=22 May 2019 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Abrupt change at the top of the Federal Office for Information Technology}}{{cite web |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/differenzen-mit-finanzminister-bit-chef-geht/44981652 |title=Differenzen mit Finanzminister: BIT-Chef geht |last=SWI swissinfo.ch |first= |date=22 May 2019 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=sw |trans-title=Differences with finance minister: BIT chief resigns}}{{cite web |url=https://www.it-markt.ch/news/2019-05-23/ueli-maurer-trennt-sich-unvermittelt-von-bit-chef-conti |title="Unterschiedliche Auffassungen" - Ueli Maurer trennt sich unvermittelt von BIT-Chef |last=IT Markt |first= |date=23 April 2019 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=“Differences of opinion” – Ueli Maurer abruptly parts ways with BIT chief}}

In June 2019, the Federal Council decided to appoint Dirk Lindemann as interim head of the FOITT.{{cite web |url=https://www.news.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=75419 |title=Dirk Lindemann übernimmt interimistisch die Leitung des BIT |last=Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication FOITT |first= |date=14 June 2019 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Dirk Lindemann takes over as interim head of the BIT}}{{cite web |url=https://www.netzwoche.ch/news/2019-06-17/dirk-lindemann-uebernimmt-ad-interim-leitung-des-bit |title=Update: Dirk Lindemann übernimmt die Leitung des BIT. |last=Urech |first=Marcel |date=17 June 2019 |access-date=15 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Update: Dirk Lindemann takes over as head of the BIT}} Lindemann had been a member of the Executive Board since January 2013 and, since July 2015, Deputy Director and Head of the Resources Division of the Federal Tax Administration. In his previous role as external project manager{{cite web |url=https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/nach-skandal-zum-chef-befoerdert-995139968920 |title=Nach Skandal zum Chef befördert. Der Gesamtprojektleiter des missratenen 100-Millionen-Projekts Insieme steigt intern auf: Er wird zum Chefinformatiker der Steuerverwaltung befördert |last=Tagesanzeiger |first= |date=16 October 2012 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Promoted to boss after scandal. The overall project manager of the failed $100 million Insieme project has been promoted internally: he is now the chief IT officer of the tax administration.}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cio.de/article/3667467/kritik-an-cio-ernennung.html |title=Ex-Chef von Pannen-Projekt: Kritik an CIO-Ernennung |last=CIO |first= |date=23 October 2012 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Former head of troubled project criticizes CIO appointment}}Dirk Lindemann was co-founder of iNovendis AG in Neftenbach (commercial register entry CH-020.3.033.780-9), in which Philippe Voirol, the current deputy director of the FOITT (appointed as of January 1, 2025), was also involved. Lindemann and Voirol worked together in management positions at Siemens Enterprise Communications Switzerland, among other companies. for the ultimately unsuccessful IT project Insieme (IT project),{{cite web |url=https://www.parlament.ch/centers/documents/de/bericht-insieme-fk-gpk-2014-11-21-d.pdf |title=Informatikprojekt INSIEME der Eidgenössischen Steuerverwaltung (ESTV) |last=Finance and Audit Committees of the Federal Assembly |first= |date=21 November 2014 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=INSIEME IT project of the Federal Tax Administration (FTA)}}{{cite web |url=https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/schweiz-was-lief-schief-bei-insieme |title=Was lief schief bei «Insieme»? |last= Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen SRF |first= |date=21 November 2005 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=What went wrong with “Insieme”?}}{{cite web |url=https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/schweiz-insieme-skandal-prozess-endet-mit-schuld-und-freispruechen |title=Insieme-Skandal: Prozess endet mit Schuld- und Freisprüchen |last=Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen SRF |first= |date=16 September 2015 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Insieme scandal: trial ends with guilty verdicts and acquittals}} Lindemann and Conti were at odds due to conflicts between the FTA and the FOITT.{{cite web |url=https://www.blick.ch/wirtschaft/informatik-lindemann-neuer-bit-direktor-nach-abgang-im-streit-id15613498.htm |title=Lindemann neuer BIT-Direktor nach Abgang im Streit |last=Blick |first= |date=13 November 2019 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Lindemann becomes new BIT director after departure amid controversy}} In November 2019, Lindemann was definitively elected as the new director of the FOITT.{{cite web |url=https://www.bit.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=77065 |title=Dirk Lindemann wird neuer Direktor des BIT |last= Federal Department of Finance FDF |first= |date=13 November 2019 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Dirk Lindemann appointed new Director of BIT}}{{cite web |url=https://ictk.ch/inhalt/dirk-lindemann-definitiv-neuer-direktor-des-bit |title=Dirk Lindemann definitiv neuer Direktor des BIT |last=ICT Kommunikation |first= |date=13 November 2019 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Dirk Lindemann confirmed as new director of BIT}} As part of the “midar” program (Romansh for “change,” “move”), initial steps were taken toward the agile transformation of the FOITT, including reducing the management team from eight to five main departments.{{cite web |url=https://www.bit.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=77065 |title=Dirk Lindemann wird neuer Direktor des BIT |last=Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication FOITT |first= |date=13 November 2019 |access-date=22 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Dirk Lindemann becomes new director of the BIT}}{{cite web |url=https://ictk.ch/inhalt/dirk-lindemann-definitiv-neuer-direktor-des-bit |title= Dirk Lindemann definitiv neuer Direktor des BIT |last=ICT Kommunikation |first= |date=13 November 2019 |access-date=22 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Dirk Lindemann definitely new director of the BIT}} The development of the EU-compatible Swiss digital COVID certificate within just a few weeks earned the FOITT widespread recognition, as it enabled people to travel abroad during the vacation period.{{cite news |title=Das ist der neue Schlüssel für Auslandreisen |date=5 June 2021 |publisher=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |language=de |trans-title=This is the new key for traveling abroad}}{{cite news |title= Der Bund kann Digitalisierung – wenn er denn will |date=2 July 2021 |publisher=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |language=de |trans-title=The federal government can digitize—if it wants to}} Other key projects of the FOITT{{cite web |url=https://www.bit.admin.ch/de/25-jahre-bit-it-projekte-82 |title=25 Jahre voller spannender IT-Projekte |last=Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication FOITT |first= |date=17 December 2024 |access-date=22 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=25 years full of exciting IT projects}} include GEVER,{{cite web |url=https://www.bk.admin.ch/bk/de/home/dokumentation/gever-bund.html |title=Elektronische Geschäftsverwaltung (GEVER) in der Bundesverwaltung |last=Federal Chancellery of Switzerland |first= |date= |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Electronic document management (GEVER) in the federal administration}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bit.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=103777 |title=Neue Strategie für die digitale Geschäftsverwaltung der Bundesverwaltung |last=Federal Chancellery of Switzerland |first= |date=10 January 2025 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title= New strategy for the digital business management of the Federal Administration}} DaziT,{{cite web |url= https://www.bazg.admin.ch/bazg/en/home/topics/dazit.html |title=Transformationsprogramm DaziT des Bundesamts für Zoll und Grenzsicherheit BAZG |last= Federal Office for Customs and Border Security FOCBS |first= |date= |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=en |trans-title= }} SUPERB,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbl.admin.ch/bbl/de/home/themen/aktuelle-it-projekte/programm-superb.html |title=Programm «SUPERB» |last= Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics FOBL |first= |date= |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=SUPERB program}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bit.admin.ch/de/superb-de-81 |title=Erfolgreiche SAP-Migration: Meilenstein für die Digitalisierung der Bundesverwaltung |last=FOITT |first=Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication |date=22 April 2024 |access-date=15 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Successful SAP migration: Milestone for the digitization of the federal administration}} Container Application Environment (CAE) with Red Hat OpenShift,{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-it.ch/bund-loest-suse-mit-red-hat-ab-20220524 |title=Bund löst Suse mit Red Hat ab |last=Inside IT |first= |date=23 May 2024 |access-date=22 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Federal adiministration replaces Suse with Red Hat}} e-ID,{{cite web |url=https://www.eid.admin.ch/en |title= Digital identity e-ID |last=Digital identity and trust infrastructure |first= |date= |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=en |trans-title= }}{{cite web |url=https://www.ti8m.com/de/blog/e-id-schweiz |title=«Die E-ID ist ein entscheidender Baustein für die digitale Transformation». Interview mit Dirk Lindemann |last=ti&m |first= |date=18 January 2025 |access-date=15 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=“E-ID is a crucial building block for digital transformation”. Interview with Dirk Lindemann}} Swiss Government Cloud (SGC) programs,{{cite web |url=https://www.bit.admin.ch/en/sgc-en |title=Swiss Government Cloud |last= Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication FOITT |first= |date=6 August 2024 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=en |trans-title= }} and the introduction of Microsoft 365{{cite web |url=https://www.bit.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=102770 |title=Migration auf Microsoft 365: Einführung bei der gesamten Bundesverwaltung beginnt |last= Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication FOITT |first= |date=14 October 2024 |access-date=15 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Migration to Microsoft 365: Rollout across the entire federal administration begins}} in the federal administration. Following the completion of its transformation into an agile organization, the FOITT is now focusing on the systematic digitization of its processes, from the customer interface and service provision to fully automated billing.{{cite web |url=https://www.computerworld.ch/business/schweizer-top-cios-dirk-lindemann-bit-2647867.html |title=Schweizer Top-CIOs: Dirk Lindemann, BIT |last=Computerworld |first= |date=6 March 2023 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Top Swiss CIOs: Dirk Lindemann, BIT}} The RUVER project (Romansh for “oak tree”) saw 340 employees and 500 specialist applications from the former Command Support Organization (FUB) integrated into the FOITT in 2023.{{cite web |url=https://vkb-acc.ch/die_vereinigung_der_kader_des_bundes/detailview/article/109155/eyJlIjoiMTMwMzMzIiwiaSI6MTAzfQ== |title=Mitjahresgespräch der Personalverbände mit der Direktion des BIT |last=Vereinigung der Kader des Bundes VKB |first= |date=6 July 2023 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Mid-year meeting between staff associations and BIT management}}{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-it.ch/das-bit-muss-ueber-1000-vertraege-mit-it-dienstleitern-pruefen-20231215 |title=«Das BIT muss über 1000 Verträge mit IT-Dienstleistern prüfen» |last=Inside IT |first= |date=30 April 2005 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=“BIT must review over 1,000 contracts with IT service providers.”}}{{cite web |url=https://www.vbs.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=99501 |title=FUB gibt in militärischer Zeremonie Fahne ab |last=Joliet |first=François |date=19 December 2023 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=FUB hands over flag in military ceremony}} In 2024, the FOITT celebrated 50 years of membership in the swissICT association{{cite web |url=https://www.swissict.ch/interview-mit-dirk-lindemann-direktor-bit// |title=«Die Digitalisierung der Bundesverwaltung voranzutreiben, ist unser erklärtes Ziel». Interview mit Dirk Lindemann |last=SwissICT |first= |date=2 April 2024 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=“Advancing the digitization of the federal administration is our stated goal.” Interview with Dirk Lindemann}} and 25 years of existence.{{cite web |url=https://www.bit.admin.ch/de/aus-der-gl-82 |title=25 Jahre BIT – Bundesinformatik im Wandel der Zeit |last=Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication FOITT |first= |date=17 December 2024 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=25 years of BIT – Federal IT in the changing times}}

The FOITT is the largest IT service provider in the federal administration. In addition to the Federal Office for Cybersecurity, three other departments have their own service providers (ISC-EJPD),{{cite web |url=https://www.isc-ejpd.admin.ch/en |title=Welcome to the IT Service Centre ISC-FDJP |last= IT Service Centre ISC-FDJP |first= |date= |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=en |trans-title=}} ISCeco,{{cite web |url=https://www.isceco.admin.ch/isceco/de/home.html |title=Information Service Center WBF ISCeco |last= Information Service Center WBF ISCeco |first= |date= |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Information Service Center WBF ISCeco}} and IT EDA. As a provider of standard services, the FOITT is responsible for telecommunications, the internet, business solutions, and operational security for the entire Federal Administration. It is responsible for operating data centers and specialist applications for three departments, managing over 50,000 standardized workstation systems for six departments and the Federal Chancellery, and operating data networks and telecommunications infrastructure for the entire Federal Administration. The FOITT supports business processes in the Federal Administration and ensures that telecommunications between all federal agencies in Switzerland and abroad function properly.

The FOITT is divided into five main departments: Business Solutions (BS), Platform Services (PS), Defense Platform (DP), Domestic Services (DO), and Strategy & Resources (SR).{{cite web |url=https://www.bit.admin.ch/en/organisation-foitt |title=Overview of how the FOITT is organised |last= Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication FOITT |first= |date=30 May 2025 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=en |trans-title=}} The organizational provisions are laid down in the FOITT Rules of Procedure (GO) and updated as necessary.

• {{cite web |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/oc/2025/235/de |title=Verordnung über die digitalen Dienste und die digitale Transformation in der Bundesverwaltung (Digitalisierungsverordnung, DigiV) |last=The publication platform for federal law Fedlex |first= |date=15 April 2025 |access-date=21 June 2025|language=de |trans-title=Ordinance on Digital Services and Digital Transformation in the Federal Administration (Digitalization Ordinance, DigiV)}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2010/98/de |title=Art. 16-18 der Organisationsverordnung für das Eidgenössische Finanzdepartement |last=The publication platform for federal law Fedlex |first= |date=17 February 2010 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Articles 16-18 of the Organizational Ordinance for the Federal Department of Finance}}

The FOITT was certified by the Swiss Association for Quality and Management Systems (SQS) in accordance with the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 standard at the beginning of March 2021 and has been recertified several times since then.{{cite web |url= https://www.bit.admin.ch/en/certification-foitt |title=Certification |last=FOITT |first=Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication |date=11 April 2024 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=en |trans-title= }}

File:Titanic Bern.jpg

File:Bit-gebaeude-zollikofen.jpg

File:BIT Hauptsitz in Zollikofen.jpg

File:FOITT buildings in Zollikofen.jpg train station Oberzollikofen of the S8]]

File:CAMPUS - Military Data Center (52105738647).jpg (2022)]]

The FOITT was headquartered in the city of Bern in the administrative building known as “Titanic II”{{cite web |url=https://www.bernerheimatschutz.ch/veranstaltungen-detail?tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=3061&cHash=9c8913bb73d59ae2918240d52d926dfb |title=Fahrt auf dem Verwaltungsdampfer: Verwaltungsgebäude «Titanic II |last=Berner Heimatschutz |first= |date=19 April 2022 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=A trip on the administration steamer: the “Titanic II” administrative building}} in the Monbijou district. Since 2021, the BIT has been headquartered on the Meielen campus in Zollikofen at Eichenweg 1{{cite web |url=https://www.bbl.admin.ch/bbl/de/home/bauten/bauten_inland/bautendokumentation/archiv/fruehere-beitraege-bauprojekte/verwaltung/neubau-verwaltungsgebaeude-auf-dem-areal-meielen-in-zollikofen--.html |title=Neubau Verwaltungsgebäude auf dem Areal Meielen in Zollikofen |last= Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics FOBL |first= |date=15 September 2010 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=New administration building on the Meielen site in Zollikofen}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbl.admin.ch/bbl/de/home/bauten/bauten_inland/bautendokumentation/verwaltung.html |title=Bautendokumentation Eichenweg 1 |last=Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics FOBL |first= |date=June 2013 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=fr |trans-title=Building documentation Eichenweg 1}}{{cite web |url=https://www.emchberger.ch/de/referenz/neubau-verwaltungsgebaeude-bit?division=67 |title=Neubau Verwaltungsgebäude BIT |last=Emch+Berger |first= |date= |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=New BIT administration building}} and Eichenweg 3.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbl.admin.ch/bbl/de/home/bauten/bauten_inland/bautendokumentation/archiv/fruehere-beitraege-bauprojekte/verwaltung/campus-zollikofen.html |title=Erweiterung des Campus Zollikofen bei Bern auf dem Areal Meielen |last= Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics FOBL |first= |date=25 May 2022 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Expansion of the Zollikofen campus near Bern on the Meielen site}} The FOITT previously had seven branch offices, including a data center. In addition to four other locations in the city of Bern, there was one branch office each in Köniz and Geneva. The new buildings in Zollikofen have reduced the number of locations to two.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbl.admin.ch/bbl/de/home/bauten/bauten_inland/aktuelle-bauprojekte/zollikofen_zweite_bauetappe.html |title=Campus Zollikofen: Nachhaltigkeit als Leitgedanke |last=FOBL |first=Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics |date=25 May 2022 |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Zollikofen campus: sustainability as a guiding principle}} Since March 2, 2020, the BIT has been operating the civilian section of the Frauenfeld Data Center (Federal Data Center), which is run jointly with the Department of Defense, Civil Protection, and Sport. The building was constructed by Armasuisse. Among other things, the FOITT operates servers for the Federal Department of Justice and Police in the new data center.{{cite web |url=https://www.news.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=78294 |title=Neues Rechenzentrum des Bundes geht in Betrieb |last=Gruppe Verteidigung |first= |date=2 March 2020 |access-date=15 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=New federal data center goes into operation}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite web |url=https://www.bit.admin.ch/en |title=Official website |last= Federal Office for Information Technology and Telecommunications FOITT |first= |date= |access-date=22 June 2025 |language=en |trans-title=}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.bit.admin.ch/de/eisbrecher-archiv |title=Eisbrecher e-magazine |last=Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication FOITT |first= |date= |access-date=22 June 2025 |language=en |trans-title=}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.bit.admin.ch/de/medienmitteilungen |title=Press Releases |last=Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication FOITT |first= |date= |access-date=22 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.parldigi.ch/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Parldigi-Dinner-Juni-2022-Cloud-und-BIT.pdf |title=Digitale Souveränität mit der Private Cloud des BIT und Nutzung von Public Cloud Services |last=Lindemann |first=Dirk |date=15 June 2022 |access-date=22 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Digital sovereignty with the BIT private cloud and use of public cloud services by Dirk Lindemann, Director of BIT}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.bar.admin.ch/bar/de/home/service-publikationen/verwaltungsgeschichte/forschungsberichte.html |title=Supportaufgaben in der Bundesverwaltung 1918–2000. Forschungsbericht |last=Fehr |first=Sandro |date=30 November 2011 |access-date=15 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=Support tasks in the federal administration 1918–2000. Research report}}
• {{cite web |url=https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000587758 |title=Wie der Verwaltungscomputer die Arbeitsmigration programmierte. Elektronische Datenverarbeitung in der Bundesverwaltung 1964–1982 |last=Mähr |first=Moritz |date=30 April 2005 |access-date=15 June 2025 |language=de |trans-title=How administrative computers programmed labor migration. Electronic data processing in the federal administration, 1964–1982}}

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