Gemeinde Obersiggenthal

Gemeinde Obersiggenthal – Security through Partnership: Building a Cyber Incident Response Taskforce with Bechtle.

Digital security is no longer a topic reserved only for large corporations – municipalities are increasingly becoming the focus of cyber threats as well. The municipality of Obersiggenthal responded early and, together with Bechtle, established a Cyber Incident Response Taskforce (CIRT). Located in the canton of Aargau, Obersiggenthal employs around 100 staff members and has relied on Bechtle’s IT expertise for many years. The collaboration between the municipality’s Head of IT and Bechtle’s Account Manager has lasted for over a decade, characterized by trust, continuity, and mutual understanding.

Project details.

Services

Security

Industry

Public sector

Company size

< 250 employees

Challenge.

The growing threat of cyberattacks on public institutions prompted the Head of IT to take proactive action. Without any external pressure, he approached the municipality’s executive management in 2023 with the proposal to prepare operations for emergency situations. The idea was supported by the executive board and further developed together with one of its members and Bechtle.

I didn’t want to wait until something happened. Together with the executive management and Bechtle, we developed a concept that clearly defines who does what and who will help us get back on our feet in an emergency. Because in such situations, you need professionals—people who know the environment and can react immediately.

Head of IT, Gemeinde Obersiggenthal

Solution.

Through several iterative rounds, a tailored CIRT concept was developed in collaboration with Bechtle. This included not only defining technical support in the event of an incident but also establishing information policies, role distribution, and communication channels. A key focus was on restoring systems after an attack—quickly, professionally, and without prolonged downtime.

The collaboration with Bechtle was solution-oriented from the very beginning. Together, we developed a concept that perfectly meets our requirements. So far, there has been no security incident. The concept was designed proactively to ensure preparedness in case of an emergency.

Head of IT, Gemeinde Obersiggenthal

Business benefits.

By establishing a CIRT, the municipality of Obersiggenthal strengthens its cyber resilience and is better prepared for security incidents. The benefits for the municipality are clear:

Rapid response in emergencies thanks to external experts familiar with the local IT infrastructure
Minimized downtime through pre-defined recovery scenarios
Cost efficiency by leveraging targeted external support instead of building an internal expert team
Improved efficiency within the IT organization through clear responsibilities and external expertise in critical situations
Well-defined processes for communication, escalation, and system restoration

Bechtle possesses deep expertise, and the collaboration is based on trust and partnership. I always feel well advised and appreciate the professional support we receive.

Head of IT, Gemeinde Obersiggenthal

Outlook.

By establishing a CIRT, the municipality of Obersiggenthal demonstrates how public administrations can take proactive steps to strengthen their digital security—collaboratively, strategically, and with a future-oriented approach.