Switzerland Deploys Sovereign Open-Source Alternative to Microsoft 365

Switzerland's federal government is taking steps to reduce its reliance on Microsoft 365 by launching an open-source alternative for sensitive operations. The initiative, which follows a feasibility study conducted in September 2026, aims to provide a sovereign digital workplace that can operate independently of external cloud providers.

The new platform, which will initially be used by approximately 3,000 federal employees involved in critical business processes, will include core services such as email, calendar functions, document editing, telephony, file storage, collaboration tools, and audio/video conferencing. The first implementation phase is expected to cost around CHF 9 million.

The project's focus on digital sovereignty and resilience has been highlighted by Swiss officials, who emphasize the need for authorities to maintain control over their own technology infrastructure. This capability is particularly important in times of crisis or disruption, when access to external services may be restricted.