News item | 31-03-2025 | 00:00
Ensure a clear step-by-step plan when a large cyber or IT problem occurs. Put that strategy with users who are connected to the Netherlands Armed Forces Integrated Network (Nafin). It is one of the recommendations of Adviesbureau Strict and the Institute for Security and Crisis Management (COT). Both evaluated the large-scale Nafin disturbance of 27 August 2024.
It led to nuisance in, among others, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, Coast Guard, Eindhoven Airport and its own defense network. The military organization turned out not to be sufficiently prepared to cope with the malfunction.
COT and Strict also advise not to make a distinction between IT and cyber security incidents during the handling. Some other recommendations: Keep calamity exercises and improvement crisis communication plans.
Based on the advice, the Ministry of Defense takes measures to be better prepared for a possible new malfunction. State Secretary Gijs Tuinman announced this today.
At the end of last year, the Ministry of Defense announced that it would take steps to secure Nafin physically better. This in response to a report from the Court of Audit.
About Nafin
Nafin is an important fiber optic network for preserving national security. All ministries are connected to it. But also the police and control rooms of emergency number 112. Nafin is separate from the internet and public fiber optic networks.