Swiss Army moves from Microsoft 365 to OpenDesk

The Swiss Armed Forces’ Cyber Command is replacing Microsoft 365 with OpenDesk, an open-source office and collaboration suite developed by Germany’s Centre for Digital Sovereignty in Public Administration (ZenDiS).

According to the Swiss magazine Republik, all employees of the Cyber Command and its Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities unit are expected to migrate to OpenDesk by October 2026.

The move reflects concerns that Microsoft’s increasing reliance on cloud-based services no longer meets the military’s operational requirements. Cyber Command chief Simon Müller said products subject to legislation such as the US CLOUD Act are unsuitable for certain military contexts, while the migration is intended to give the Swiss military greater control over its data and software environment.

The transition also aligns with Switzerland’s broader efforts to strengthen digital sovereignty by increasing the use of open-source software. OpenDesk is being developed by ZenDiS to provide public administrations with an alternative to proprietary office and collaboration platforms while reducing dependence on individual technology providers.

Why does it matter?

The migration highlights how digital sovereignty is increasingly influencing public-sector technology choices, particularly in defence and cybersecurity. By reducing reliance on foreign cloud providers and adopting open-source alternatives, governments seek greater control over sensitive data, software infrastructure and procurement. Switzerland’s move also reflects a broader European trend towards diversifying digital infrastructure and reducing strategic dependence on major US technology companies.

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