EMBAG: The digital transformation of the Swiss administration
The federal law on the Use of electronic means for fulfilling official tasks EMBAG In force. This law aims to promote the digitalization of the federal administration by creating clear framework conditions.
The goal of EMBAG: To advance the digitalization of public administration
The EMBAG (Swiss Federal Act on Digitalization) was established to lay the foundations for the digital transformation of the Swiss federal administration. It promotes collaboration between public administrations and with external stakeholders, focusing on the efficient use and further development of digital tools within the administration. A key component of this law is the use of open-source software (OSS). This aims to make software solutions developed by the administration accessible to the public. This not only promotes transparency but also allows companies and individuals to access and use publicly funded code.
Opportunities and challenges
The EMBAG (European Media Services Act) offers numerous advantages, such as more efficient collaboration and potentially lower administrative costs. However, the law also places new demands on the public sector. Although open-source software can be used free of charge, procurement procedures for services such as development, operation, and support must still be put out to tender. This requires technical expertise to select suitable providers and intensifies competition among individual vendors.
The quality of open-source software must also be assessed based on specific criteria, such as "community health." This refers to the vitality and activity of the developer community behind the software. Additionally, license terms must be reviewed to ensure that all necessary rights are properly acquired. To simplify this process, technologies like Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs), which generate an automated inventory of the software components used, can be employed.
Public administrations as service providers in the digital world
The EMBAG (European Media Services Act) marks an exciting turning point: public administrations are increasingly becoming software developers. As soon as an agency releases open-source software, it also becomes a provider of additional services such as integration, maintenance, and security audits. These new tasks require expertise and organizational structures that often still need to be developed within the administration.
Collaboration as a success factor
The EMBAG opens up significant opportunities not only for the federal administration, but also for cantonal and municipal administrations. By using and further developing open-source solutions, administrations at all federal levels can work more sustainably and efficiently. The challenge lies in the fact that federal authorities must now demonstrate how these new tools can be used effectively and profitably so that other administrative units can also benefit.
Conclusion
The EMBAG is an important step towards a modern and digital administration in Switzerland. It brings numerous opportunities, but also new obligations. Public administrations must ensure, however, that they develop the necessary expertise to meet the new requirements and fully exploit the opportunities.
