Introducing New HSD Premium Partner: RAND Europe

RAND Europe recently joined Security Delta (HSD) as a premium partner! RAND Europe is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan policy research organisation with a long and proven commitment to high-quality research, underpinned by rigorous analysis. As the European arm of RAND, they share its mission to help improve policy and decision making through objective research and analysis.

RAND was founded after World War II as research division of the U.S. Air force, and has grown into a leading independent policy research organisation working across almost all areas of government. Today, RAND employs around 2000 professionals worldwide, of who about 200 are based in Europe, including a team of 15 in the Netherlands. The organisation focuses on providing evidence-based insights to improve decision-making and public policy, addressing complex societal challenges in areas such as justice, national security, defence, and cybersecurity. Over the years, they have built an empirical understanding of critical security topics: cybersecurity; technology and innovation; defence policy, industry and acquisition, workforce and capabilities; terrorism, security and resilience; and crime, justice and illicit markets.

Involved in the HSD Community

RAND Europe first came in contact with HSD when exploring Dutch security sector while expanding its operations in the Netherlands. This initial connection allowed RAND Europe to learn more about HSD's work and explore how both organisations could complement each other.

Stijn Hoorens, Office Director at RAND: "Our collaboration with HSD allows us to leverage international experience and contribute to informed decision-making policy development in the Netherlands. I believe that, on the one hand, we can benefit greatly from HSD because of its strong ecosystem of organisations in the security sector in the Netherlands and its unique ability to bring together knowledge, expertise, and capabilities across various security themes. On the other hand, we bring extensive international knowledge and data, research methods, and a valuable global network. I think these strengths complement each other very well."

Collaboration  

RAND Europe works closely with a wide range of partners to deliver high-quality research and policy advice. This includes collaborations with universities, think tanks, specialist companies with expertise in specific tools or technologies, and larger research organisation such as TNO.

Work in the Netherlands 

In the Netherlands, RAND Europe concentrates on supporting public sector organisations in tackling pressing challenges such as organised crime, cyber threats, extremism, defence industrial policy, strategic autonomy, military preparedness, knowledge security or other threats to national security. Their approach combines rigorous research with practical policy advice, helping organisations identify effective measures and evaluate the impact of their interventions. Beyond defence and security, RAND Europe also engages in research related to education, employment, healthcare, and science and tech policy. 

"Ultimately, our ambition is to become the leading policy research institute with the greatest impact on decision-making and policymaking across Europe. We now have offices in the UK, Brussels, and the Netherlands, and as RAND Europe, our goal is to have impact right across the continent. The Netherlands is an important part of that ambition: it is innovative, internationally oriented, and there is an appetite for research and evidence to inform decision-making. Moreover, the Netherlands has lots of talented researchers, who are well-educated and speak international languages, which is interesting for us as an employer."

Looking ahead 

RAND Europe aims to expand its impact across Europe while deepening its engagement in the Netherlands. Through this partnership, both RAND Europe and HSD will work together to support a resilient, well-prepared society and advance innovations in national security, defence, and cyber resilience.

Also interested in becoming part of our ecosystem? Please contact our Community Manager Netania Engelbrecht via netania.engelbrecht@securitydelta.nl for more information as we are always excited to expand our community!