The number of cyber-attacks is growing exponentially. When comparing numbers of the first quarters of 2020 and 2021, we see a twofold(!) increase. Websites and systems of many well-known companies have already suffered cyber-attacks. “Fun” fact: in 2020, 72% percent of Dutch companies fell victim to at least one cyber-attack. The National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism and the National Cyber Security Centre state that the situation caused by Covid-19 has accelerated this trend even more. The digital risk that comes with cyber-attacks is undiminished and the permanent threat makes it necessary to pay particular attention to the digital resilience.
By now, it seems that everyone is aware of the danger of cyber-attacks. However, in practice it turns out that even fundamental measures as the use of strong passwords and fixing vulnerabilities in systems are not taken adequately. Furthermore, the steps that have been taken to increase this digital resilience on a national level turned out insufficient, which makes catching up essential for Dutch national security. In April of this year, Dutch Cyber Security Council has warned the national government again: in order to get cyber resilience back on level, an investment of at least 833 million euros is needed. If this amount will be enough to get back on track in this fast changing and developing world of cyber is certainly debatable.
The question remains whether the authorities will really listen, or understand the risks they take if they ignore CSC’s warning. The fact remains that invisible threats are often underestimated. After all, this threat may be as invisible to them as the Coronavirus was to everyone, and no one was really prepared for that security scenario to happen either.
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