Switzerland's federal government is testing alternatives to Microsoft 365, seeking to reduce dependence on American software and assert control over sensitive government data.
The pilot will shift 7 percent of federal administration staff and their 3,000 workstations to alternative software suites, moving private government data to the new platforms in the process.
Data protection is the primary driver. Professor Matthias Stürmer at Bern University of Applied Sciences cited the risk of data leaks from systems controlled by foreign governments, with rising license costs as a secondary concern.
The move mirrors similar efforts across Europe. France has begun replacing Windows 10 and 11 with Linux-based distributions, and Germany has explored comparable shifts away from Microsoft products.
Open-source solutions like openDesk are among the alternatives being tested, offering sovereign platforms for collaborative document editing that directly compete with Microsoft's Office suite.
Microsoft has responded with its Sovereign Cloud platform, which keeps customer data in Europe, operates under European law, and gives customers full control over encryption. Yet Germany, France, and Switzerland have not adopted it, signaling skepticism about whether Microsoft's approach truly addresses their sovereignty concerns.
The trial results are uncertain. Poor performance or security outcomes could lead Switzerland to continue using Microsoft 365 despite the initial push for alternatives.
