Minister Hoekstra (BZ) is sending the House of Representatives a response to a question about the early February 2022 cyber attacks on the oil and chemical sector, including in the port of Rotterdam. The question is from MP Sjoerdsma (D66).
Dear Chairman,
During the April 13 Commission debate on "International Cybersecurity," I promised to respond in writing to a question from Member Sjoerdsma. The thrust of the question was whether the cyber attacks of early February 2022 on the oil and chemical sector, including in the port of Rotterdam, were attributed to Russia, and whether the Netherlands gave a diplomatic or legal response to this. Also on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Security, I can inform you of the following.
The National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC) investigated the incident. Based on it, it cannot be determined that there was a coordinated attack. The attacks were probably committed from a criminal motive. However, the information available on the attacks did not provide sufficient basis for a diplomatic or legal response. Factors involved in making this decision include the impact and nature of the attack and the degree of certainty with which the perpetrator of the attack can be identified.
With regard to the cyber threat against the Netherlands as a result of the war in Ukraine, since the beginning of the tensions the NCSC has been continuously monitoring all cybersecurity-related developments with a possible relationship to the war. Currently, there are no concrete indications that targeted digital attacks have taken place against the Netherlands. Nevertheless, the NCSC calls for vigilance.
Foreign Minister,
W.B. Hoekstra
