What Happened in Switzerland?
A large cyberattack has hit Switzerland. A group of hackers targeted a non-profit organization called Radix, which works closely with the Swiss government. This group, called Sarcoma, is known for breaking into computer systems and demanding money through ransomware attacks.
On June 16, Sarcoma broke into Radix’s systems and stole a huge amount of data—1.3 terabytes, which is over a million megabytes. That’s like stealing thousands of books full of private information. The stolen data has now appeared online, meaning anyone with the right tools can look at it on the dark web, a hidden part of the internet where illegal activities often happen.
Radix helps many parts of the Swiss government with their projects. This means that even though the hackers attacked only one organization, the effect is much bigger. The Swiss government has confirmed that the hackers might have accessed information from several federal offices—these are parts of the government that handle important jobs like finance, defense, and lawmaking.
Now, the government and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) are jointly investigating what exactly the hackers stole, which offices they affected, and how serious the damage is.
What Was Leaked?
The Sarcoma hackers didn’t just steal the data—they also published it online. This means private files, like financial records, contracts, and email conversations, are now out in the open. This is a big problem because the information might include sensitive or personal details about the government and possibly even private citizens.
Radix has sent out warnings to people who might be affected. The company says that, for now, it doesn’t look like partner organizations’ most sensitive data was exposed. But it’s hard to know for sure until experts carefully check all the stolen files.
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This attack is very serious because it’s not the first time it has happened in Switzerland this year. Just a few months ago, in March, hackers breached another company called Xplain, which worked with the government. They also leaked tens of thousands of documents online, including personal information like names, addresses, and government records.
These repeated attacks show that even a country known for strong security like Switzerland can become a target for cybercriminals. The government is now asking all agencies and contractors to stay extra alert and take steps to protect their digital systems.
Who Are the Sarcoma Hackers?
The hackers behind this attack go by the name Sarcoma. They are a relatively new group, believed to have started their operations in late 2024. But even though they are new, they have quickly become known for being aggressive and dangerous.
Sarcoma often uses tricks like phishing emails—fake messages that look real but contain harmful links. They also exploit outdated software that organizations haven’t updated and target weak spots in supply chains by breaking into smaller companies that work with bigger ones.
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Once they break in, they steal valuable information and then demand money from the victim. If the victim doesn’t pay, the hackers go ahead and leak the stolen data online, which is exactly what happened in the case of Radix.
Authorities have not revealed whether the hackers demanded or received any ransom. But the hackers published the data online, suggesting that either no one paid them or they chose to release the information anyway.
As more information becomes available, experts will continue to check the damage. For now, many are worried that the information now floating around the dark web could be used in harmful ways.
