Both state and non-state actors pose a threat to Dutch national security through persistent cyberattacks targeting governments, businesses, and organizations.
This is according to outgoing Minister Brekelmans in the recently published 2026 Annual Plan of the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD).
Brekelmans points out that state and non-state actors are becoming increasingly intertwined. He also believes that cyberattacks often remain hidden, even though they pose a major threat. "The difficulty of interpretation and attribution in particular makes this a frequently used tool by these actors," said the minister. In 2026, the MIVD will focus explicitly on disrupting and exposing cyber operations. The organization will also inform victims of cyber attacks and advise them on measures they can take.
On its website, the MIVD refers to a race. “Every day, enemy hackers try new ways to get hold of Dutch cutting-edge technology, steal citizens’ personal data, steal military secrets, deceive military systems, or cast our soldiers on missions in a bad light. This is happening at breakneck speed. In a matter of seconds, they jump from server to server and from country to country. It is the task of the Military Intelligence and Security Service to identify all these threats and take action. This is only possible if we operate quickly and effectively."
