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Cyber security

ICT is essential to our society and economy. The Netherlands is increasingly turning into Europe’s digital gateway. But the vulnerability, dependence and complexity of ICT systems are leading to new threats. The government and business sectors are having to work together to make us more resilient and ensure that we can respond effectively. A joint response and joint action are essential to tackling not only cyber espionage, crime, terrorism and warfare, but also disruptions to ICT systems caused by technical or human failure – a good example of which is the recent series of events surrounding the DigiNotar digital security certificates.

What is cyber security?
Cyber security means freedom from danger or damage caused by the disruption, failure or abuse of ICT systems. This danger or damage may consist of a limitation in the availability or reliability of ICT systems, a breach of the confidentiality of information stored in them, or damage to the integrity of that information.

National Cyber Security Centre
In the coalition agreement, it was decided to develop a National Cyber Security Strategy (NCSS). As part of this strategy, on 1 January 2012, a National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will be launched. The Centre is a joint venture between government bodies and business enterprises aimed at forging an integrated approach to cyber security. The Dutch Government Computer Emergency Response Team (GovCert), which since 1 August 2011 has fallen under the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV), will serve as a basis for the new Centre.

The Centre will combine tactical and operational knowledge and expertise from the government and business sectors. By doing so, it will gain a clearer understanding of threats and developments and be better able to help deal with incidents and make decisions in digital security emergencies.

Cyber Security Council
Another result of the National Cyber Security Strategy was the establishment in June 2011 of the Cyber Security Council. The Council consists of representatives of government bodies and business enterprises, under the joint chairmanship of Eelco Blok (CEO of KPN) and Erik Akerboom (of the NCTV). The annexe contains a description of the Cyber Security Council, with additional information about its structure and membership.

The DigiNotar affair
A recent example of a breach of cyber security is the DigiNotar affair. In July 2011, the company DigiNotar was the victim of a digital break-in, or ‘hack’. DigiNotar is a provider of digital security certificates for government websites. After the hack, fraudulent security certificates entered into circulation. The government and business sectors are studying the consequences of the hack. Government websites are now using replacement security certificates. The government approach already gives a rough idea of how parties will cooperate in the National Cyber Security Centre. For more information about the DigiNotar affair, see the latest news on the websites Rijksoverheid.nl and NCSC.nl.

 

More information

  • Government letter about the DigiNotar affair16-09-2011 | pdf-document, 17 KB
  • National Cyber Security StrategyReport | 23-06-2011 | pdf-document, 0.70 MBThe Netherlands supports safe and reliable ICT and the protection of an open, free internet. Society’s growing dependence on ICT makes it increasingly vulnerable to the misuse and disruption of ICT systems. For this reason, the Government has launched a National Cyber Security Strategy, with input from a wide range of public and private parties, knowledge institutions, and civil society organisations. The Strategy constitutes the Government’s response to Parliamentary motions tabled by Raymond Knops and Marcial Hernandez. It also embodies the integrated approach to cybercrime announced in the 2010 coalition agreement.
  • Cyber Security Assessment Netherlands