News item | 21-03-2023 | 12:38
Civil servants employed by the central government are immediately advised against having apps from countries with an offensive cyber program against the Netherlands and/or Dutch interests installed and using them on their mobile work equipment.
The cabinet’s decision follows the advice of the AIVD, which states that all applications managed in countries with an offensive cyber program directed against the Netherlands and Dutch interests carry an increased risk of espionage.
Van Huffelen: “The central government must be able to do its work safely, also via its mobile devices. Recent parliamentary questions and international developments have led us to make a careful assessment that goes further than advising against one application. We opt for a structural solution that civil servants of the national government can trust in their work in a digital world”.
‘Managed devices’
In the short term, we are working towards a situation where mobile devices, issued to civil servants employed by the national government, are set up in such a way that only pre-approved apps, software and/or functionalities can be installed and used.
They then become so-called ‘managed devices’ in their entirety, for which it is determined which apps can be installed and used by the user. Spy-sensitive apps will then not be allowed.
An exception to the above measures applies when such an application is or may be necessary for the performance of a primary task of a government organization. This could include inspection and supervision, criminal investigation or intelligence interest. This exception will be further elaborated in the coming period in collaboration with the ministries