The Hague organisations strengthen cyber resilience: cyber check for 1,400 organisations

Cyber threats are a growing challenge for organisations, and SMEs in particular, are increasingly at risk. De Haagse Hogeschool, the municipality of The Hague, and the foundation Connect2Trust are joining forces to make organisations in the region more digitally resilient. On 26 March, the cooperation, under the name ‘Platform Local Cyber Resilient The Hague’, was officially ratified. The aim is to connect local organisations so that they can work together in a targeted way to strengthen their cyber resilience through knowledge sharing and practical tools.

Launch with partners involved

The official launch took place in the presence of Saskia Bruines (Alderman for Finance, Culture and Economic Development, Municipality of The Hague), Elisabeth Minnemann (Chairman of the Executive Board, The Hague University of Applied Sciences) and Raymond Bierens (Chairman, Connect2Trust).

Elisabeth Minnemann emphasised: "The challenges around cyber resilience are only getting bigger. As The Hague University of Applied Sciences, we contribute with our education and research to solutions for social issues such as these. This platform, which we are launching in collaboration with the triple helix, is a great example of that and helps organisations move forward. By combining scientific insights, practical experience, and local involvement, we are taking cybersecurity in the region to the next level."

Raymond Bierens added: "The collaboration allows us to strengthen the cyber resilience of SMEs in The Hague by proactively sharing threat information. Member organisations will receive concrete action perspectives to improve and ensure their cyber security."

Alderman Saskia Bruines stated, "Due to geopolitical and technological developments, the importance of digital resilience grows daily. In 2022, the Hague Municipal Council presented the Digitally Safe The Hague Agenda, and since then, we have been working hard to increase the digital resilience of our city. We do this for and together with the organisations that ensure that the city keeps running smoothly, is liveable, and offers opportunities to every resident of The Hague. This new cooperation fits seamlessly into that and is a very important step forward for a cyber secure The Hague."

Join the cyber resilience assessment

 As a first action, the Hague University of Applied Sciences is conducting a cyber resilience assessment among organisations in the region. More than 1,400 organisations will receive an invitation to participate. This survey will identify where the greatest cyber risks lie and what improvements are needed to strengthen the cyber resilience of organisations in The Hague. The results will form the basis for targeted support and new collaborations from the platform.

Cyber threats as a daily challenge

For many organisations, protecting against cyber threats such as data breaches, phishing, and ransomware is a daily challenge. These threats can cause great damage and severely damage trust in an organisation. The Platform Local Cyber Resilient The Hague helps organisations to strengthen their cyber resilience together by sharing knowledge and jointly developing solutions to current cyber security issues.

Cyber resilience in the Hague region

 The Platform Local Cyber Resilient The Hague aims to strengthen the cyber resilience of organisations in the region by uniting them in a multi-year partnership. The platform initially targets 1,400 organisations that may be at increased risk of damage from cyber incidents. In the future, the intention is to expand the platform to other types of organisations that could benefit from support. The ultimate goal is to develop a joint approach that makes the entire region of The Hague more cyber resilient.

Collaboration as key to success

This platform's scale, risk-based approach and broad collaboration between public and private parties make it unique. This joint approach offers organisations in the region more perspective on structural solutions against the growing number of digital threats.

Cyber Secure The Hague

The Local Cyber Resilient The Hague Platform builds on scientific research and links up with the municipal Digitally Safe The Hague programme. From this programme, the municipality works with its partners to increase the city's digital resilience, keeping in mind its unique risk profile and locally vital processes. Moreover, the platform contributes to protecting the region's economic activities and lays a solid foundation for a secure digital future.

More information

Want to know more about the Platform Local Cyber Resilient The Hague? Visit the project page, follow Digitaal Veilig Den Haag on Linkedin, take part in the cyber resilience assessment, or contact them at Lokaal-cyberweerbaar@hhs.nl.

Curious about the first results of the assessment? Come to the meeting on Tuesday, 13 May 2025, from 16:30 to 18:30 in The Hague. During this meeting, the Platform Local Cyber Resilient The Hague will present the first results, and they would like to discuss the next steps with you.