A safe and resilient Netherlands: time for concrete steps
Cyber threats, wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, disinformation, and increasing polarisation: the shifting geopolitical landscape has exposed the vulnerabilities of our society. The Netherlands, with its open economy, is particularly sensitive to these threats. Safety can no longer be taken for granted. Nor is it solely the responsibility of defense forces, police, or other services alone—it is a shared responsibility for all of us. This requires concrete policies and actions. Governments, businesses, and citizens must all step up and work together.
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Shared responsibilities for security
Since the 1990s, the Netherlands, like many Western countries, has significantly reduced its defense capabilities. We have enjoyed a long, stable, and prosperous period, developing into an open, digital economy, with all the international dependencies that entails. However, the world has changed. New power dynamics have created an unpredictable geopolitical landscape.
Only in recent years has defense spending started to rise again. More than ever, public-private partnerships are now essential. Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of NATO’s Military Committee, stated, “Security is no longer the sole concern of defense, police, or security services—it’s a collective responsibility.” Society must prepare for crises, building both security and resilience together. The concept of crisis extends beyond physical warfare to include digital and hybrid forms of aggression.
Five perspectives for concrete action
The luxury of inaction is no longer an option. Adopting a "Whole-of-Society" approach, we propose five perspectives to guide the development of actionable future scenarios, policy choices, and implementation strategies:
Studies show that cooperation between governments, businesses, and citizens is critical for transitioning to a safe and resilient nation. Parties must engage in dialogue to craft well-supported policies with clear roles and expectations. Right now, the Netherlands urgently needs a vision for how this public-private collaboration should take shape—along with actionable steps to make it happen. To kickstart this, Deloitte is working with a core group of over twenty public and private organizations, as outlined in the steps detailed below.
Currently, there are significant differences in resilience levels across sectors. Financial service providers often have their resilience well-organized, largely driven by regulation. In the healthcare and food industries, there is work to be done. An interesting example in this regard: in Finland, CEOs of large companies from various sectors meet monthly with security services and defense, as well as with each other.
A strong approach to public-private collaboration doesn’t just highlight the issues—it dares to prioritize. Here are some examples of sector-specific challenges that need tackling:
- Energy
How do we protect the power grid from cyber and physical attacks? What alternative energy sources can we rely on if supply lines are disrupted? How do we reduce dependence on foreign suppliers? And can citizens sustain themselves for at least 72 hours during a power outage? - Healthcare
How much are we willing to invest in true pandemic preparedness? Should we build on initiatives like Open Netherlands and Testen voor Toegang, or scale back organizations like the GGD and RIVM? And what about improving the digital security of healthcare systems? - Telecommunications
As an international hub for data and communication (thanks to transatlantic cables), the Netherlands is an attractive target with significant vulnerabilities. How do we protect these cables? Who takes responsibility? And what backup plans do we have if our communication networks go down? - Financial Services
How do we view the financing of the defense industry? Are pension funds willing to invest more again?
- Defense
Where will we set up new training grounds—for land, sea, and air? Where will we build ammunition depots? Are we prepared to repurpose other areas to make this happen?
Concrete steps towards resilience
Deloitte, alongside other organizations, is committed to building an open, future-proof, safe, and resilient society. We are taking immediate steps to address tomorrow’s challenges:
We mean business
Reservists often balance civilian jobs with their roles in defense, such as working one day a week for the military. In cases of personnel shortages or emergencies, defense forces can call on reservists. Since June 1, 2023, Deloitte has implemented a reservist policy that allows active reservists to be deployable and operational.
“Our reservist policy reflects our societal commitment and responsibility. We aim to leave the Netherlands safer and contribute to tackling the significant societal challenges ahead, where security plays a pivotal role.”
Sjoerd van der Smissen, Deloitte's lead partner for Defence
Contributing to a safer Netherlands
Organizations and individuals in the public or private sector who recognize the importance of a safer and more resilient Netherlands are encouraged to join the leadership group. Deloitte serves as both a co-initiator and point of contact for these efforts.
For those who wish to engage outside the leadership group, Deloitte is open to discussions. We are ready to provide information, advice, and support on resilience and security-related challenges.
