National and Regional Collaboration on Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience

The Netherlands and the world are becoming increasingly digital. Organisations, public services, businesses and economic sectors are becoming more dependent on secure digital systems and interconnected processes. The growing interconnectivity of IT, OT and IoT environments creates many opportunities for innovation and digitalisation, but also brings new cyber risks. A digitally secure economy therefore requires organisations, supply chains and ecosystems that are resilient to cyber threats and able to adapt to new developments. 

HSD works with businesses, government bodies and knowledge institutions to strengthen cyber resilience. We connect national and regional ambitions and bring stakeholders together to share knowledge, collaborate and develop practical solutions. In doing so, we bridge the security and economic perspectives and ensure alignment between policies, programmes and initiatives. 

From National Ambitions to Regional Implementation 

HSD connects national developments, such as the National Technology Strategy (NTS), the Cyber Resilience Network and the Cybersecurity & Technology Action Agenda, with regional programmes and collaborations. The region plays an important role in developing and putting new approaches into practice, which can subsequently be connected to broader initiatives and scaled up. 

A sector-based and supply chain approach is central to our work. Further strengthening cyber resilience is particularly important in sectors that are not part of the critical infrastructure but are nevertheless essential to the Dutch economy and society, as well as among SMEs. By working together with and within sectors, businesses can become more resilient not only individually, but also as part of a supply chain. 

Working Together Across Organisations, Products and People 

Our programmes address the different dimensions of cyber resilience: the organisation, the product and the people. Among other things, we help organisations prepare for developments and regulations such as NIS2 and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), promote Secure by Design and invest in human capital and cybersecurity knowledge. 

We focus particularly on SMEs and sector-specific target groups. Through regional Cyber Resilience Centres (CWCs) and other sector-based initiatives, we make knowledge, support and practical solutions more accessible to businesses. Examples include the Cyber Resilience Centres for the manufacturing industry and the horticultural sector in South Holland, as well as collaborations with CYRCLE, Cyber Resilience Centre Brainport, FERM, Cyber Resilience Centre East Netherlands and MKB Cybercampus Nederland. 

We also actively foster connections and knowledge sharing in the field of OT cybersecurity, including through our OT community. In this way, we strengthen the resilience of organisations that are increasingly dependent on digitally connected production and process environments. 

Connecting, Strengthening and Scaling Up 

HSD works at national, regional and local levels to reduce fragmentation and increase the impact of individual initiatives. In South Holland, we are implementing the Roadmap for Cyber Resilience in South Holland. By connecting the various regional activities and partners, we strengthen the collective approach and increase the effectiveness of our efforts. 

As a consortium partner in DigitalZH 2.0, we support SMEs in strengthening their digital security and resilience. Within EDIH 2.0, we fulfil a national coordinating role in cybersecurity, strengthening collaboration and knowledge sharing among the five Dutch EDIHs.

In addition, we actively seek collaboration with other regions and initiatives, such as the Brabant Development Agency (BOM) and House of Cyber Brabant. We monitor national and regional developments and engage where this contributes to a stronger, more integrated approach to cyber resilience. 

Together, we are building a network in which knowledge and experience are shared, successful approaches can be scaled up, and organisations, sectors and supply chains become genuinely more resilient. From regional practice to national collaboration and vice versa: together, we are making the Netherlands digitally safer, more resilient and better prepared for the future.