Switzerland's Federal Government Is Replacing Microsoft on 3,000 Computers

Switzerland's Federal Government Is Replacing Microsoft on 3k Computers

Switzerland's federal government has launched a pilot program to replace Microsoft 365 with open-source alternatives on 3,000 workstations, about 7% of the federal workforce, with the goal of completing the migration by end of 2027. This follows a successful proof-of-concept with 172 employees who tested the openDesk suite. The move is driven by concerns over foreign access to data, service continuity, and rising costs. The Swiss Army's Cyber Command is already moving faster, planning to replace Microsoft 365 entirely by October 2026. This is part of a broader digital sovereignty strategy, backed by the 2024 EMBAG law requiring open-source software for government agencies.