Saskia Noordewier: "Cyber resilience requires collaboration"

Across The Hague, many organisations are joining forces to strengthen the digital resilience of local businesses and institutions. At the heart of this effort is Security Delta (HSD). With over 300 partners, HSD is committed to building a safer digital future for the Netherlands, with The Hague serving as a key hub. In a recent interview with Digitaal Veilig Den Haag, Saskia Noordewier, Deputy Director of Security Delta (HSD), shared why many organisations still hesitate to take action on cybersecurity, and how collaboration can lower those barriers.  

Through the Platform Lokaal Cyberweerbaar Den Haag, local organisations are connected to share knowledge, access practical tools, and strengthen their digital resilience together. That action is evident in work with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Many SMEs assume that cybersecurity is too complex or too costly, which discourages them from taking necessary steps. Yet they are just as much a target as larger organisations. “We help lower that threshold,” Noordewier says. “Simple measures such as strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, backups, and disabling default settings already make a significant difference.”

Public-private partnerships play a crucial role in this approach. HSD builds coalitions around pressing themes like SME cybersecurity, hosting on-site sessions, conducting baseline assessments, and managing communities. These initiatives are designed to ensure that entrepreneurs are not left to face the challenges alone. “In horticulture, vulnerabilities may lie in climate control systems; in the hospitality sector, it could be reservation systems. Together, we identify what the real ‘crown jewels’ are and how best to protect them,” Noordewier explains.

Saskia Noordewier, Deputy Director of Security Delta (HSD) - "There is already so much knowledge and material available. Instead of reinventing the wheel, let’s use what we have and strengthen each other. Cyber resilience is something we can only achieve together—by sharing experiences and building connections.”

The Platform Lokaal Cyberweerbaar Den Haag is supported by Connect2Trust, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Municipality of The Hague, Economic Board The Hague, SME The Hague, VNO-NCW West (The Hague region), PVO The Hague region, and Security Delta (HSD).

Read the full interview in Dutch here