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The General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) protects national security and the democratic legal order. This is more necessary than ever, because the world around us is changing at a rapid pace. Geopolitical tensions are rising, cyber attacks are hitting vital infrastructures, foreign interference is undermining open societies, extremist ideologies are finding new forms, and technology is developing faster than legislation and regulations can keep up.
That is why the AIVD is developing in terms of content and technology and the organization is growing in size. As head of the organization, the director general directs this development. The DG AIVD strengthens the strategic and operational capacity of the service and ensures that the organization remains at the forefront of technology. The DG AIVD does this in collaboration with the management team. Attention is also paid to the supporting processes, infrastructure and associated preconditions that are necessary for the AIVD to do its work. At a national level, DG AIVD works closely with public and private security partners and maintains contacts with intelligence and security services internationally.
Drs. Simone Smit has been deputy director general of the AIVD since February 15, 2021. Previously, she was Director of Counterterrorism and Program Director of the Acute Response to Covid at the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV). She started at the NCTV in 2014 as head of Surveillance and Security. She started her career as an operational manager at the police in Rotterdam. Simone Smit obtained a doctorate in Public Administration from Erasmus University Rotterdam and attended the Police Academy.
The appointment was made through the procedure for the top management group of the General Administrative Service.