Toespraak bij Cyber Security Seminar in Tokio, Japan

Toespraak | 29-10-2014

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me start by congratulating the Control System Security Center and European Network for Cyber Security on the agreement they are about to sign. This agreement will give an important boost to Japanese and European efforts to increase cyber security.

Crucial infrastructure: the internet

Cyber security is an important and complex subject, because digital developments are rapid and far-reaching. Our lives increasingly rely on mobile devices, big data and the Internet of Things. And the internet itself is driving social and economic innovation in ever changing ways.

These developments give rise to players who challenge the status quo. Uber and Airbnb, for example, are stirring up the taxi and rental market. And online stores are taking market share from high-street shops. Our world is being rebuilt on the most crucial infrastructure of the 21st century: the internet.

This is visible in both our country’s. Japan has always been a frontrunner in the adoption of mobile technology and the internet. And the Netherlands, with its state-of-the-art fibre and one of the world’s largest internet exchange points, is called the Digital Gateway to Europe

Opportunity and a risk

In this age of hyperconnectivity, our digital infrastructure is both an opportunity and a risk. Banks are experiencing DDos attacks that undermine the financial system. And the software that runs the devices that we rely on, is vulnerable. It is only a matter of time before serious incidents happen.

That is why in our 4th annual Dutch National Cyber Security Assessment we concluded that the security and resilience of our infrastructure should grow at the same rate as our digital dependency. This is especially the case for critical infrastructure in telecommunication, energy and finance.

Governments, however, cannot achieve digital resilience on their own, because almost 80% of the critical IT infrastructure is owned by private companies. I believe that the public and private sector have to work together and share the costs of increasing cyber security.

But cyber security is not just a cost, it also creates value. The The Hague Security Delta is a good example of this. Today, it is the largest security cluster in Europe, with 400 companies, a €1.7 billion turnover and 13,000 employees. These work with governments and universities on cyber security, national and urban security, protection of critical infrastructure, as well as forensics.

Global Conference on Cyber Space

The HSD is also an integral part of our country’s cyber diplomacy strategy, which aims to position the Netherlands as a cyber security hub. In light of this I am proud to announce that next year’s Global Conference on Cyber Space will take place in the Hague on April 16 and 17. Some 1,300 participants will focus on cyber crime, cyber security, online freedom and privacy, and internet governance.

It would be a great honour if Japan were to send a strong government and business delegation, so we can build on the work we are doing today.

Together, we can guarantee that the most crucial infrastructure of the 21st century will remain free, open, secure, and of benefit to all. With this in mind, I wish everyone a fruitful day.

Thank you