A new knowledge center will be created next year that will help companies to increase their digital security. In a letter to the House of Representatives, the Minister of Education and the Minister of Economic Affairs wrote that as of the following year, the government would capitalise 2.5 million euros annually in this Digital Trust Centre (DTC). This new center will be required to protect the non-vital part of Dutch business against cyber threats. For instance, anticipation or warning of direct cyber-attacks and advising on internet security. In vital sectors, such as the energy and telecom sector, a knowledge center already exists for such entrepreneurs, such as The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) that is also available for public services.
Rise in digital attacks
Other companies, such as SME entrepreneurs, cannot go to the NCSC, while they are increasingly attacked digitally, Minister Kamp writes in his letter. According to the minister, companies are often unaware of digital threats and do not know how to protect themselves. This year in June, the Lower House already called for a motion calling upon the government to set up a DTC. The Cyber Security Council, which also advises the Cabinet on Digital Security, pleaded in June for the establishment of a knowledge center for the non-vital part of businesses.
Starting in 2018
The new DTC will start in 2018, and it will work closely with the National Cyber Security Centre. The Ministry of Economic Affairs, together with the Ministry of Security and Justice, will give an opinion. The plan is to give corporate partnerships an important role within the DTC. Next year, five partnerships will be designated as the first contact point for the non-vital sector. There will also be a digital platform accessible for the companies to use. The location of the new DTC has not been announced yet. It was revealed last Prince's Day from the Millennium Note; the government will draw a total of 26 million euros for cyber security. As of next year, 2.5 million euros will be spent on the DTC.
Cyber attacks
Worldwide cyber-attacks, such as ransomware, occur more and more frequently. Ransomware – also called hostage software – can infect computers and make them inaccessible to the owner, to tempt them to pay money. The last major (worldwide) ransomware attack was in June this year. Companies in the Netherlands were also affected, such as package delivery TNT and the container terminal of APM in the port of Rotterdam. For example, TNT drivers did not get any assignments and the barriers did not open to them anymore, as an employee then told.
Translated by Maybeline Whitter
Source: https://nos.nl/artikel/2194403-nieuw-centrum-voor-cybersecurity-voor-ondernemers.html