Netherlands digital and economic resilience priorities

Dutch organizations and the national government are increasingly prioritizing digital resilience and economic security to counter geopolitical tensions, hybrid threats, and technological shifts.

At the organizational level, the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) is seeking expertise to strengthen the digital safety and strategic governance of local governments. Similarly, the railway operator NS has emphasized that digital resilience must encompass risk management, incident preparation, and recovery capabilities to protect vital infrastructure from professional cybercriminals and complex digital chains.

This focus on resilience has transitioned into national policy priorities. Following Prinsjesdag, the Dutch government’s budget outlined plans to strengthen digital sovereignty and protect citizens against digital risks. The state intends to adopt a more integrated approach with a stronger regulatory role for the central government by 2027. Additionally, the government is addressing economic security through the National Raw Materials Strategy, aiming to reduce dependencies on critical resources to mitigate challenges posed by climate change and geopolitical instability.