Submission + - Switzerland Wants to Become the World's Data Vault (securityweek.com)
wiredmikey writes: Business for Switzerland's 55 data centers is booming. They benefit from the Swiss reputation for security and stability, and some predict the nation already famous for its super-safe banks will soon also be known as the world's data vault. For example, housed in one of Switzerland's numerous deserted Cold War-era army barracks, one high-tech data center is hidden behind four-ton steel doors built to withstand a nuclear attack — plus biometric scanners and an armed guard. Such tight security is in growing demand in a world shaking from repeated leaks scandals and fears of spies lurking behind every byte.
Revelations from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden of widespread spying by the agency has served as "a wake-up call" to the dangers in this era of electronic espionage. While the global data storage industry is ballooning, companies in Switzerland, which has some of the world's strictest data protection laws, are especially reaping the benefits of the paranoia. Under Swiss law, personal data is defined as a "precious good" that can under no circumstances be handed over to governments or authorities without authorization from a judge.
While Switzerland's reputation as the land of tight-lipped confidentiality has taken a bit of a hit with the ongoing erosion of its bank secrecy practices, it remains miles ahead of most other countries in terms of data protection, according to Peter Gruter, the head of the Swiss Telecommunications Association.
One Swiss data center operator said business has more than tripled since the NSA leaks by Snowden began earlier this year.
Revelations from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden of widespread spying by the agency has served as "a wake-up call" to the dangers in this era of electronic espionage. While the global data storage industry is ballooning, companies in Switzerland, which has some of the world's strictest data protection laws, are especially reaping the benefits of the paranoia. Under Swiss law, personal data is defined as a "precious good" that can under no circumstances be handed over to governments or authorities without authorization from a judge.
While Switzerland's reputation as the land of tight-lipped confidentiality has taken a bit of a hit with the ongoing erosion of its bank secrecy practices, it remains miles ahead of most other countries in terms of data protection, according to Peter Gruter, the head of the Swiss Telecommunications Association.
One Swiss data center operator said business has more than tripled since the NSA leaks by Snowden began earlier this year.
