Local Platform Strengthens Cyber Resilience of Organisations in The Hague

The Hague University of Applied Sciences is conducting a cyber resilience assessment among organisations in the region and organising a meeting to present the initial results and discuss next steps.

Centre of Expertise Cyber Security

Platform cyberweerbaarheid

In The Hague, an important step is being taken in the fight against cyber threats with the establishment of a local cyber resilience platform. This initiative is a collaboration between The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Connect2Trust, and the Municipality of The Hague, and started in January 2025. By combining scientific insights, practical experience, and local engagement, the partners aim to strengthen cyber resilience in the region. As a first step, The Hague University of Applied Sciences is conducting a cyber resilience assessment among regional organisations. 
After the assessment, we will analyse the results and share the key insights. Participating organisations can request a personalised feedback report. 

Objective

The Local Cyber Resilience Platform The Hague aims to strengthen the cyber resilience of locally vital organisations in the region by bringing them together in a long-term collaborative network. In the initial phase, more than 1,400 organisations are being approached, selected based on size and activities. These organisations—many of which are SMEs—are expected to face an increased risk of significant damage from cyber incidents, both to their own systems and those of their supply chain partners. In the future, the platform will expand to include other organisations in the region that can benefit from support in cyber resilience. The ultimate goal is a collective approach that makes the entire region more resilient.

Research Focus

The platform builds on extensive research into the conditions and opportunities for effective collaboration and aligns closely with the objectives of the municipal programme Digitally Secure The Hague. The platform focuses on:

  • cyber risks faced by organisations;
  • effective measures to prevent cyber incidents;
  • the information and support organisations need;
  • the effectiveness of collective resilience strategies.

Activities

Organisational maturity assessment

  • Approaching selected organisations
  • Conducting maturity assessments
  • Publishing anonymised and aggregated city-level reports

Establishing a steering group

  • Forming a “coalition of the willing”
  • Stimulating peer-to-peer influence
  • Clustering organisations with similar cyber resilience challenges

Strengthening cyber resilience

  • Organising knowledge-sharing and intervision sessions

Information sharing on cyber threats

  • Using the ThreatMatcher Platform by Connect2Trust for automated and efficient information exchange

Training cyber ambassadors

  • Selecting and training cyber-competent representatives within (SME) organisations to act as sector ambassadors

Community building

  • Creating an active community through existing networks and initiatives

Targeted campaigns

  • Awareness campaigns based on research and aligned with national initiatives such as “Do your updates”

Expected Results

This initiative will create a platform where SMEs, knowledge institutions, and governments collaborate towards a safer digital ecosystem. Expected outcomes include:

  • increased awareness of cyber risks among organisations;
  • practical tools, information, and guidelines to prevent cyber incidents;
  • sustainable public-private collaboration in the region;
  • insights into the maturity and vulnerabilities of organisations;
  • a practical framework enabling other regions to replicate this approach.

Partners

Connect2Trust, Municipality of The Hague, The Hague University of Applied Sciences

Involved Degree Programmes

HBO-ICT, The Hague University of Applied Sciences

Project Duration

January 2025 – December 2025

Funding

This project is funded through the Strengthening Cyber Resilience subsidy scheme of the Digital Trust Center (DTC).

Team

  • Marcel Spruit, Professor Cyber Security & Safety
  • Emiel Kerpershoek, Senior Researcher Cyber Security & Safety
  • Daan Rijnders, Programme Manager Digital Security The Hague
  • Raymond Bierens, Chair of the Board, Connect2Trust

More Information

For more information about the Local Cyber Resilience Platform The Hague, please contact: 
[email protected]