Toespraak van SG Maarten Camps bij Japans-Netherlands Cybersecurity Forum

Toespraak | 16-12-2016

Ladies and gentlemen,

Japan and the Netherlands have over 400 years of shared history. At first, we mainly exchanged goods. But later, we exchanged knowledge too. And today marks the next step in that tradition.

Today, our two countries lead the way in ICT. According to the World Economic Forum, we are both among the world’s 10 most digitalised economies. The Netherlands is the digital gateway to Europe. Amsterdam is home to the world’s biggest internet hub: the Amsterdam Internet Exchange. And with the 2020 Olympic Games drawing nearer, Japan is stepping up its efforts to create a world-class ICT infrastructure.

Recently, Japan’s efforts to build the fastest computer in the world – capable of 130 quadrillion calculations a second – made headlines around the globe. The Netherlands is a leading country in the development of the  Quantum computer. A Japanese researcher is participating in the project as well.

These examples represent a huge leap forward for artificial intelligence and self-learning algorithms. In short, both Japan and the Netherlands have big ambitions when it comes to the ICT of the future.

One area that both countries are working on is the internet of things. Phones, computers, fridges, lamps and thermostats are increasingly connected to one another via the internet. Devices are becoming smarter and more adapted to consumer needs. Your fridge will tell you when a piece of fish is past its use-by date. And order some more if you’ve run out.

That’s the ICT of the future. And the Netherlands and Japan are leading the way.

But leading the way is a risky business. If you’re ahead of the curve, you can’t follow in anyone’s footsteps. There are no standards to follow.

We’re entering uncharted territory. And we’re doing it fast. We have to. Or before we know it, someone will overtake us and we’ll be the ones playing catch-up. ICT advances often move so fast that we don’t always have a clear view of the risks. Two weeks ago, a number of payment machines in the Netherlands were hacked. And last year the Japanese pension system was hacked.

It’s great that everything is connected. But if we’re not careful the benefits of the internet of things could quickly turn into drawbacks. Our devices could be used against us, and that could be a nightmare.

But, ladies and gentlemen,

Japan and The Netherlands are frontrunners. And frontrunners don’t give up. Japan knows that. And so does the Netherlands.

The key to stepping up cybersecurity and reducing the risks is cooperation. In the Netherlands, we cooperate in a way that’s rooted in our history. We call it the ‘triple helix’. This is where research institutions, companies and government all work together on the challenges facing our society.

The research institutions produce knowledge. Companies transform it into practical innovation. And government plays a facilitating role. This way of working together comes from the Dutch ‘polder model’, which came about in the Middle Ages. It was our way of protecting our low-lying country from the water all around us.

To build the dykes, everyone had to work together. Farmers and town dwellers. Nobles and leaders. Keeping our feet dry was in everyone’s interest. It’s a way of thinking that’s been around a long time. But it’s still relevant and necessary today.

One thing is clear. Back in the Middle Ages my ancestors only had to fight the physical tide, but today, in the virtual world we must also arm ourselves against the surging tide of cyberattacks. We cannot let the dykes break. And the same goes for our firewalls.

When it comes to ICT, Japan and the Netherlands see the same challenges and the same opportunities. One thing is clear. We need international cybersecurity standards.

It’s up to us to work together. Together, we – two frontrunners – can take major steps forward in creating international standards. That way, we can minimise the issues created by new advances like the internet of things. And we’ll get the most out of them. Without having to sacrifice security.

We will remain frontrunners. And ICT will remain a driver of economic growth and innovation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I wish you a productive meeting. This afternoon, be each other’s ‘ethical hackers’. Challenge each other, learn from each other and make each other stronger. That’s how we will take the next step in the tradition of exchange between Japan and the Netherlands.

Thank you.