Dutch Government Presents Cybersecurity Strategy (NLCS) 2022-2028

Ministers Yeşilgöz-Zegerius of Justice and Security and Adriaansens of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy presented the new Dutch cybersecurity strategy for 2022-2028 today, together with Secretary of State van Huffelen of Kingdom Relations and Digitalisation. The strategy includes an action plan of concrete actions to secure the Netherlands digitally.

To achieve this goal, the system concerning digital security is to be strengthened. To that end, the National Cybersecurity Centre, Digital Trust Centre and the Cyber Security Incident Response Team for Digital Service Providers will be fused into one national cybersecurity authority. In addition, clear laws and regulations will be introduced to ensure that more measures will be taken within organisations. The goal is also to get more insight into threats, to ensure a heightening of resilience.

Minister Yeşilgöz-Zegerius:

"The digital threat is growing rapidly, and criminals and hostile states are threatening our interests. To that end, we need action now to improve our digital resilience, strengthen the system and deal with threats accordingly. Only then will the Netherlands be able to securily profit from the economic and societal opportunities that digitalisation offers, while defending our security and public values. The Netherlands is one of the most digitised countries in the world. We work digitally, shop digitally and we meet eachother digitally. Digital systems form the nervous system of our society, which is why we must protect these systems, and be prepared for situations where something does go wrong."

Minister Adriaansens: 

"Digital resilience is very important, and we are all reminded every now and then. For example when a cyberattack means our internet doesn't work, when shelves in stores are unstocked, or even if industrial production ceases. In these times we require a government that actively contributes to our digital strength. The cybersecurity of digital devices and systems is not only necessary, but contributes to economic opportunities for our businesses, and ease of living for consumers."

Secretary of State Van Huffelen: 

"Security and trust in the digital world, just like in the physical, are of utmost importance. Strong laws and regulations, as well as supervision must help us make our digital world more secure. De whole government should lead in this, and collaborate with a network of public and private partners."

Collaboration

This strategy came about with a broad involvement of many public, private and societal organisations, and builds on a foundation of earlier government-wide cybersecurity strategies, stemming from 2011, 2013, and 2018. For the creation and implementation of the strategy, all ministries worked together, with public and private partners involved. HSD played a modest role as well, just like many different organsiations in the field. We contributed input during roundtables of the NCTV and involved political director, and through the research conducted for the Cybersecurity Beeld NL.

Read the full strategy on the DTC website here, or download the full document here.