Ministerie van Justitie

How does the Counterterrorism Alert System work?

• Various intelligence services (e.g. the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD)) carry out investigations as part of the fight against terrorism. 
• On the basis of information obtained from these and its own investigations, the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism prepares a threat analysis for a specific economic sector. 
• Appropriate measures are proposed in consultation with the sector concerned and other ministries. 
• The Minister of Justice adopts these measures, in consultation with the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, and announces the relevant alert level. 
• Both the relevant economic sector and the local authority within whose geographical area it operates are subsequently alerted. They will implement the agreed measures and inform the general public if necessary.             

In principle, this process takes place twice a year, but alert levels can also change in between on the basis of new threat information and/or reports.