A Municipal Offensive to Prevent Cybercrime

Over the past two years, Dutch municipalities have embraced cybercrime as a policy priority. However, difficulties arise when translating this priority into concrete action.

Centre of Expertise Cyber Security

Cybercrisis

Over the past two years, Dutch municipalities have embraced cybercrime as a policy priority. However, difficulties arise when translating this priority into concrete action. While public order and safety officials recognise their role in cybercrime prevention, it remains unclear where to begin.

Objective

To develop effective interventions that public order and safety officials can use to increase the cyber resilience of citizens and businesses within their municipalities.

Problem statement

Public order and safety officials play a central role in safeguarding public safety. Traditionally, their focus has been on preventing common crimes (such as theft, vandalism, and property damage) and high-impact crimes (such as burglary and robbery). Meanwhile, the digitalisation of society has created unprecedented opportunities for crime. Although cybercrime has become a policy priority, municipalities struggle to translate this into practical measures.

Main research question:
Which interventions can public order and safety officials use to enhance the cyber resilience of citizens and businesses within their municipality?

Target group

The interventions are developed for public order and safety officials in Dutch municipalities. The intended audiences are young people, older adults, and SMEs.

Project duration

April 2020 – July 2022

Collaboration partners

This project is carried out by a consortium consisting of:

  • Twelve municipalities (Capelle aan den IJssel, Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Utrecht, Almere, Amersfoort, Ede, Apeldoorn, Enschede, Haarlem, Den Helder, and Zoetermeer);
  • Four regional partnerships involving municipalities, the police, and the Public Prosecution Service;
  • Two universities of applied sciences (Saxion University of Applied Sciences and The Hague University of Applied Sciences);
  • The Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR).

Through the regional partnerships, a total of 167 municipalities are represented.

Results

(In Dutch)