Cyber threats are a growing challenge for organizations, and especially SMEs are increasingly at risk. To make organizations in the region more digitally resilient, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, the Municipality of The Hague, and the Connect2Trust foundation are joining forces. On March 26, the collaboration was officially confirmed under the name ‘Platform Local Cyber Resilience The Hague’. The aim is to connect local organizations so that they can work together to strengthen their cyber resilience through knowledge sharing and practical tools.
Launch with involved partners
The official launch took place in the presence of Saskia Bruines (Deputy Mayor for Finance, Culture, and Economic Development, Municipality of The Hague), Elisabeth Minnemann (President of the Executive Board, The Hague University of Applied Sciences), and Raymond Bierens (Chairman, Connect2Trust).
Elisabeth Minnemann emphasized:
“The challenges surrounding cyber resilience continue to grow. As The Hague University of Applied Sciences, we contribute through our education and research to finding solutions to societal issues such as this one. This platform, which we are initiating together through the triple helix approach, is a great example of that and helps organizations move forward. By combining scientific insights, practical experience, and local engagement, we elevate cybersecurity in the region to a higher level.”
Raymond Bierens added:
“This collaboration enables us to strengthen the cyber resilience of SMEs in The Hague by proactively sharing threat intelligence. The participating organizations receive concrete action perspectives to improve and safeguard their cybersecurity.”
Deputy Mayor Saskia Bruines stated:
“Due to geopolitical and technological developments, the importance of digital resilience is increasing every day. In 2022, the municipal executive presented the ‘Digitally Secure The Hague’ Agenda, and since then we have been working hard to enhance the city’s digital resilience. We do this for and together with the organizations that ensure the city keeps functioning well, remains livable, and offers opportunities for every citizen of The Hague. This new collaboration fits seamlessly into that effort and is a very important step forward toward a Digitally Secure The Hague.”
Participate in the maturity assessment
As its first action, The Hague University of Applied Sciences is conducting a maturity assessment among organizations in the region. More than 1,400 organizations will receive an invitation to participate. This study maps out where the greatest cyber risks lie and what improvements are needed to strengthen the cyber resilience of The Hague-based organizations. The results will serve as the foundation for targeted support and new collaborations within the platform.
Cyber threats as a daily challenge
For many organizations, protecting themselves against cyber threats such as data breaches, phishing, and ransomware is a daily challenge. These threats can cause significant damage and seriously harm an organization’s reputation. The Platform Local Cyber Resilience The Hague helps organizations jointly strengthen their cyber resilience by sharing knowledge and developing solutions together for current cybersecurity challenges.
Cyber resilience in the The Hague region
The Platform Local Cyber Resilience The Hague aims to strengthen the cyber resilience of organizations in the region. It does so by uniting them in a multi-year collaboration. The platform initially focuses on 1,400 organizations that are at greater risk of suffering damage from cyber incidents. In the future, the intention is to expand the platform to other types of organizations that could benefit from support. The ultimate goal is to develop a joint approach that increases cyber resilience throughout the entire The Hague region.
Collaboration as the key to success
What makes this platform unique is its scale, its risk-based approach, and the broad collaboration between public and private parties. This joint approach offers organizations in the region a better outlook on structural solutions to the growing number of digital threats.
Digitally Secure The Hague
The Platform Local Cyber Resilience The Hague builds on scientific research and aligns with the municipal program Digitally Secure The Hague. Through this program, the municipality works with its partners to improve the city’s digital resilience, with attention to the unique risk profile and vital local processes. Moreover, the platform contributes to safeguarding economic activities in the region and lays a strong foundation for a secure digital future.
More information
Want to learn more about the Platform Local Cyber Resilience The Hague? Visit the project page, follow Digitally Secure The Hague on LinkedIn, take part in the cyber resilience assessment, or contact us via Lokaal-cyberweerbaar@hhs.nl.
Curious about the first results of the assessment?
Join the event on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 16:30 to 18:30 in The Hague. During this meeting, the Platform Local Cyber Resilience The Hague will present the first findings and engage in a discussion about the next steps.
See the attached support letter for the official endorsement of this initiative by the Economic Board The Hague.
