Application Programming Interface (API)
Interfaces—often referred to as APIs (application programming interfaces)—are defined connection and transition points that enable the controlled exchange of data and functions between independent digital systems. The term is broad and can describe different technical situations, which is why it is necessary to examine each case individually.
APIs are the key tool for implementing interoperability. The Federal Act on the Use of Electronic Means to Perform Official Tasks (EMBAG) enshrines their importance: it obliges federal authorities to handle data exchange via interfaces (Art. 13 EMBAG) and, by allowing open standards to be declared binding (Art. 12 EMBAG), creates the basis for their effective use.
As a central element of IT architecture, interfaces enable overarching strategic principles to be implemented technically (namely modularity). A modular and API-based architecture strengthens the resilience not only of the community (federal, cantonal, municipal) and its administrative offices, but also of the federal system in Switzerland as a whole, as it avoids centralised structures, which protects against unilateral attacks on central components.
The API architecture must ensure, for example, that no single points of failure are created (protection against external attacks, e.g., cyberattacks; protection against internal attacks as well—political usurpation, a scenario that is not currently expected in Switzerland, but rather abroad).
The interchangeability of components is another key objective. This reduces dependencies and makes them controllable. This interchangeability, which is often based on the reprogramming of interfaces, is a crucial measure for risk reduction (avoiding lock-in, ensuring operational reliability). However, the legal protection of interface structures themselves is internationally controversial (see Oracle v. Google lawsuit), which further underscores the strategic importance of open and standardized interfaces for risk minimization.
Furthermore, interfaces form the foundation for open digital ecosystems (such as the one enabled by e-ID), in which various players can drive innovation forward on the basis of common rules. They are therefore not only defensive, but also of great strategic importance for shaping digital goals, thus contributing to efficient data use. APIs are therefore not just a technical detail, but a strategic lever for an interoperable and resilient digital environment.