Cybersecurity and -Resilience for South Holland

HSD works together with public and private partners to strengthen the cyber resilience of SMEs and key economic sectors in South Holland. In an economy where companies, supply chains and networks are increasingly digitally connected, cyber incidents can have a significant impact on individual businesses and the wider regional economy. SMEs in particular can be vulnerable to digital threats. 

To strengthen cyber resilience across the region, governments, knowledge institutions, implementing organisations and private partners work together within a connected regional cyber resilience ecosystem. South Holland has a wide range of initiatives that support businesses with cybersecurity and resilience. At the same time, the growing number of initiatives can make it difficult for entrepreneurs to find their way to the support that best matches their needs. 

The aim of the regional collaboration is therefore not only to connect existing and new initiatives, but also to improve alignment between activities, increase their impact, and make the support landscape clearer and more accessible for businesses. 

HSD plays a connecting and coordinating role within this regional ecosystem. Through the South Holland Cyber Resilience Roadmap and the regional SME cyber resilience coordination platform, HSD brings stakeholders together, facilitates cooperation between programmes and helps align initiatives, partners and programme lines. 

The collaboration focuses on: 

•  increasing awareness of cyber risks among boards, employees and entrepreneurs; 
• providing practical guidance and actionable next steps for SMEs; 
• increasing cyber resilience in SMEs and sectoral supply chains, including through cybersecurity applications in IT and OT management; 
• connecting cyber resilience with existing innovation, business and sector networks; 
• developing joint communication and activation campaigns; 
• establishing and strengthening sectoral cyber resilience initiatives and centres; 
• linking regional activities to national developments and the broader Dutch cyber ecosystem; 
• strengthening knowledge, innovation and education around cyber resilience. 

 Connecting businesses to the right support 

Through the regional network, entrepreneurs can access appropriate support based on their needs. This may include digital security scans, practical guidance, awareness activities, cyber resilience programmes and sector-specific initiatives. 

The regional ecosystem brings together initiatives such as DigitalZH, DigiWerkplaats, the Cyber Resilience Centres for Greenport and Manufacturing South Holland, FERM Seaports, the Platform for Safe Entrepreneurship, CyberKracht, Breed MKB meetings, municipalities, knowledge institutions and national cybersecurity organisations. 

The strength of this approach lies in the collaboration between these organisations. By sharing knowledge, aligning activities, increasing visibility, and actively referring entrepreneurs to each other's services, the network creates a clearer, more effective support landscape.