The Netherlands - Cyber Security Assessment now available in English

Cybercrime and digital espionage remain the largest threat to digital security in the Netherlands. Geopolitical developments like international conflicts and political sensitivities have a major impact on the scope of this threat. These are key findings from the Cyber Security Assessment Netherlands (CSAN), presented to the House of Representatives by State Secretary Dijkhoff in October, and now available in English.

The Cyber Security Assessment Netherlands 2015 has five Core Findings:

• Cryptoware and other ransomware constitute the preferred business model for cyber criminals
• Geopolitical tensions manifest themselves increasingly often in (impending) digital security breaches
• Phishing is often used in targeted attacks and can barely be recognised by users
• Availability becomes more important as alternatives to IT systems are disappearing
• Vulnerabilities in software are still the Achilles heel of digital security

As becomes evident from the CSAN, the trends identified in the previous Cyber Security Assessments continue in force in 2015. The introduction of an approach featuring both private and public parties, cooperating to improve cyber security both on the national and international levels, is required to tackle them. State Secretary Dijkhoff has stated that he will focus the other EU Member States' attention to the development of such an approach during the upcoming EU presidency of the Netherlands: "Only by cooperating will we be able to protect our digital lives against crime and espionage."

You can download the English translation of the Cyber Security Assessment Netherlands 2015.