Governance

eIAM is a service within the standard ICT service for identity and access management and also includes AGOV.3

The Federal Chancellery's Digital Transformation and ICT Steering Sector (FCh DTI), represented by the eIAM Business Owner of FCh DTI, steers and manages eIAM. It commissions the Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication (FOITT) to carry out the implementation. The decision-making powers laid down in W008 remain reserved.1,2,5

Steering and oversight

FCh DTI determines which services eIAM offers. In coordination with FOITT, it sets the scope of services, charging models and prices, and issues architecture and quality requirements. It plans the service's further development and leads or commissions the corresponding projects.1,2

It assesses risks with FOITT and initiates measures to reduce them. Using agreed indicators, it monitors services, volumes, costs, security, economic efficiency and quality. It handles escalations between service recipients and FOITT where operational problems require higher-level intervention or disagreements remain unresolved at operational level.2

Decisions and sourcing

Decisions of major business significance are taken by the Delegate for Digital Transformation and ICT Steering after consultation with the Federal Digitalisation Council. Other management decisions are taken by FCh DTI after consultation with the Standard Services Steering Committee (FSD); the allocation of responsibilities laid down in W008 applies.2

For AGOV, it also consults the AGOV Steering Committee (ASC), in which the authorities using AGOV are represented.6

The Federal Chancellor decides on the sourcing model, particularly whether services are provided internally or externally, on a proposal from FCh DTI. The latter prepares the proposal in consultation with the internal service providers and the competent central procurement office, and reviews existing models as necessary.1,2

FOITT must coordinate changes to the sourcing of subtasks and supporting services with FCh DTI in advance where these would create long-term commitments that could restrict the Federal Administration's future freedom of action.2

Operation and access rights

FOITT develops and operates eIAM in accordance with the requirements issued by FCh DTI and the binding service specification SD124. It determines how to implement the service within these requirements. It is responsible for secure and reliable operation and the agreed support services. It reports on service delivery to FCh DTI, promptly reports significant security incidents and provides the documentation required for price and cost comparisons.2,3,5

Service recipients determine the protection requirements of their applications, are responsible for protecting their business data and decide who may access it. This responsibility remains with them when they use eIAM.2,3

Requirements and financing

Administrative units of the Federal Administration submit requirements for general or architecture-critical changes through their departmental representation on the FSD. AGOV requirements from the cantons and their communes are submitted through Digital Public Services Switzerland (DPSS). FCh DTI examines the requirements under P035 and decides on implementation and follow-up measures within the applicable allocation of responsibilities.2,3,4

One-off expenditure on further development is generally financed from the 'IKT-Bund' budget appropriation held by FCh DTI, subject to the availability of funds. Service recipients generally finance the services they use and customer-specific projects, particularly application connections, and agree the arrangements directly with FOITT. AGOV is subject to the special financing arrangements of the Confederation and the cantons.2,3

Mandatory use and exceptions

The central Federal Administration is subject to mandatory use under W008, within the scope and service procurement arrangements specified there.1,2

FCh DTI decides on time-limited exceptions for an administrative unit or application under P035. Where total costs are significantly affected, it first consults the Federal Finance Administration. Other exceptions are decided by the Federal Chancellor after consultation with the Conference of Secretaries General.2,4

Details of the usage obligation:

Information and contacts

Further information and contact details are available under Steering and management information and eIAM organisation and contacts.

Use the support channels for service disruptions and login problems. Application connections follow the integration process.

Legal basis and sources

The Digitalisation Ordinance (DigiO; particularly Articles 9, 11 and 40) and W008 govern these arrangements. SD124 sets out the binding service specifications for eIAM; P035 governs the requirements procedure.1,2,3,4

1 DigiO. Ordinance of 2 April 2025 on Digital Services and Digital Transformation in the Federal Administration; SR 172.019.1. In particular Articles 9, 11 and 40.

2 W008. Federal Chancellery directives of 19 December 2025 on the steering and management of standard services, in force since 1 May 2026. In particular sections 2 and 4 to 8 and section 4 of the Annex.

3 SD124: eIAM service specification. Version 4.3. In particular chapters 1 to 4 and 7.

4 P035: Handling requirements and directives relating to digital transformation and ICT steering. Version 3.1. In particular chapter 2.

5 eIAM organisation and contacts.

6 AGOV: Security & Quality. Responsibilities of the Federal Chancellery and participation of the AGOV Steering Committee (ASC) and the FSD.

ASC documents (closed user group):