Digital Security in the Greenports

For many organisations in the horticultural sector, essential cybersecurity measures are still in their infancy, leaving them exposed to significant financial and operational risks.

Centre of Expertise Cyber Security

tuinbouwkas

The horticultural sector is becoming increasingly dependent on digital systems and the internet. Disruptions or failures can have severe consequences for the business continuity of individual organisations and the supply chains they are part of. However, necessary security measures are often underdeveloped, increasing vulnerability across the sector.

This project focuses on mapping the state of maturity of digital security and developing a roadmap and network organisation to progressively improve cybersecurity within the Greenport West-Holland (WH) supply chain.

From the Cyber Security & Safety research group, Marcel Spruit and Emiel Kerpershoek are involved respectively as project lead and senior researcher. Greenport WH and The Hague Security Delta (HSD) are the project initiators.

Objective

To develop an implementation agenda to improve the cyber resilience of the horticultural sector, aligned with the Province of South Holland’s strategic vision on cyber readiness. The project aims to build support and establish a consortium of stakeholders to gradually improve digital security across the Greenport WH supply chain between 2020 and 2025.

Target group

Organisations within the Greenport WH supply chain. Greenport WH is a collaborative network of entrepreneurs, government bodies, and education and knowledge institutions working together towards a healthy, resilient, and sustainable future for the regional horticultural cluster.

Project duration

October 2020 – October 2021

Partners

  • Companies: Harvest House, Royal Flora, Door, and The Greenery (forming the foundation of the consortium)
  • The Hague University of Applied Sciences (HHS) – Cyber Security & Safety Research Group
  • The Hague Security Delta (HSD)
  • Supply chain partners, including Hoogendoorn, Beekenkamp, growers, trading companies, VTM, and SME Cyber Advisory firms
  • Greenport West-Holland / Innovation Pact (GPWH/IP)
  • InnovationQuarter (IQ)
  • TNO
  • Industry associations: Glastuinbouw NL, GroentenFruithuis, AVAG, Plantum

Results

The report Digitale veiligheid van Greenport West-Holland (in Dutch) provides an overview of digital security practices across organisations in the greenhouse horticulture sector. It identifies areas for improvement to strengthen cyber resilience by analysing key threats, risk awareness, and existing security measures. Based on interviews and surveys, the report offers practical recommendations to improve digital security across the sector.

This project was made possible through funding from the Province of South Holland, Greenport West-Holland, and The Hague Security Delta.