New ambitions for the enhancement of national security
In the years to come, the Cabinet wants additional focus within the field of national security on issues such as cyber espionage, satellite failure due to solar storms, tackling ‘lone wolves’ and crisis situations outside the EU. The Council of Ministers has approved a proposal submitted by Mr Opstelten, the Minister of Security and Justice, to send a letter to the Lower House on the Cabinet’s ambitions regarding national security.
The analysis of the scenario on satellite failure as a result of solar storms shows that relatively unknown threats also deserve attention. Another important issue is the timely detection of attacks on information systems and potential theft of sensitive data, in order to be able to act adequately and efficiently. Sensitive data can be protected by monitoring information systems while safeguarding fundamental rights such as the right of privacy. The national government will work out in greater detail how such monitoring of the national ICT infrastructure, starting with the national government, can best be arranged. The national government wants to discuss this issue with private parties and scientists, so as to make arrangements on the exchange of monitoring data gathered by these organisations. Guided by the National Security Strategy, a wide range of threats will be assessed against one particular standard. Over the past few years, the National Security Strategy has played a major part in identifying risks and handling crisis situations. In 2008, for example, a potential influenza pandemic was identified as one of the major risks for the Netherlands. These findings prompted vital sectors and government institutions to start preparing for a flu pandemic even before the outbreak of the New Influenza A (H1N1). This year the scenarios have been worked out in detail by the National Security Analysts Network (ANV) for the first time. The ANV is a wide network of reputable knowledge institutions and organisations.