“The OA-IA provides a range of checks and balances in the field of intelligence services.”
Thomas Fritschi
The COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent drift towards social division, the power politics of individual states and our vulnerability to cyberattacks make us aware of how fragile our security is and how important prevention and situation assessment are for political decision makers. In these increasingly uncertain and difficult times, the need for secure information and facts has become even greater. The intelligence services are challenged, and so is their oversight.
In the year under review, we continued to carry out our oversight activities on the basis of our risk assessment and in line with current developments. Our recommendations have declined significantly in number. This is due to the fact that improvements have already been achieved in recent years and to the fact that we are focusing more on the basic challenges that arise from intelligence work in a democratic state. This requires audits to be more comprehensive and places higher demands on formulating recommendations to the appropriate level. An audit of human source management and an in-depth review of incidents concerning the FIS’s cyber unit proved to be particularly demanding.
Our audit of the FIS focused on its organisation, which was put to the test by the surprise departure of its director. Then, in mid-year, reports concerning dissatisfied employees emerged in the press. A change of culture and a review of structures and processes are therefore necessary. Implementing change will be the responsibility of the new director rather than of the OA-IA.
In addition to reporting on our auditing activities and on FIS-internal developments, we take a look in greater detail in this report at the topic of information systems, including the question of data protection. We are delighted to have Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner Adrian Lobsiger as editor of the ‘A view from outside’ chapter. Dr Lobsiger is a proven specialist in this field.
This is my last annual report. I look back on almost five years of gratifying and constructive work in a highly sensitive and demanding field. The OA-IA provides a range of checks and balances with respect to the greater powers granted to the FIS in 2017 and to an intelligence service that is continually expanding. The structure and development of the OA-IA can meet this challenge, and its independence is noted and respected. Cooperation and coordination with other federal and cantonal oversight bodies are established. It is to be hoped that a dialogue with the Control Delegation, which is responsible for parliamentary oversight, may take place in the future.
The OA-IA is indispensable and enhances confidence in intelligence activities. I would like to thank you for the trust you have placed in me over the past years and I hope you enjoy reading this report.
Thomas Fritschi, OA-IA Director
