In an impactful speech delivered at the Brightlands Smart Services Campus on June 12, 2023, Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra warned of increasing threats to global internet freedom and underscored the need for a robust international response. Unveiling a new International Cyber Strategy, Hoekstra highlighted the situation’s urgency, saying, “If we do not act, if we do not protect the internet and the infrastructure behind it, in another ten years, we will see the end of the internet as we know it.”
- Russia and China are threatening Europe with targeted cyber-attacks.
- A new European cyber strategy is therefore needed, Dutch Minister Wopke Hoekstra says.
- If we do nothing, “the Internet as we know it” is in danger.
Hoekstra drew attention to the rise in cyberattacks and data theft targeting civilians, military infrastructure, businesses, and governments. He specifically named Russia and China as major sources of these attacks, noting that “our intelligence services are very clear on this: many of these attacks originate in Russia and China. And they will not stop unless we decide to stop them.”
Three priorities
The new International Cyber Strategy, as outlined by Hoekstra, is grounded in three key priorities. The first is to bolster digital security, for which the Minister urged collective action. He stated, “We need to further empower the EU as a global cyber actor. We must improve our digital security by using our collective technological strength, expanding EU cyber legislation, building international coalitions, and innovating.”
The second priority is standing up for democratic values in the face of increasing online censorship and surveillance. Hoekstra emphasized the collective responsibility to “protect journalists. To support human rights defenders, wherever they are. To speak out against disinformation every single time.”
The third priority revolves around safeguarding the open internet against increasing pressures from authoritarian governments. Hoekstra warned about the efforts of countries like Russia and China to reshape the internet into a controlled space, stating, “they are very successful at it in their own countries. We must not let this happen on the global stage.”
In concluding his speech, the Dutch Foreign Minister emphasized the need for collective action and appealed to the public for their support. “If you believe in open, free and secure cyberspace, help us keep it that way. Build, innovate, and share your experience. The future of our digital world truly depends upon it.”
Laws and regulations
In addition to Minister Hoekstra, Cyber and Security Ambassador Nathalie Jaarsma engaged in discussions with students, companies and knowledge institutions on the Brightlands campus. The minister received updates from parties such as the Brightlands Smart Services Campus, National Police, Maastricht University and APG. The importance of laws and regulations to stimulate public-private partnerships to counter cyber threats, among other things, was discussed.
Astrid Boeijen, CEO of Brightlands Smart Services Campus: “The Brightlands Smart Services Campus combines science, entrepreneurship, talent, and state-of-the-art facilities in one place. So too, on the subject of digital security. I am therefore proud that the minister and the ambassador are coming here to learn about our expertise and know-how. We are a unique, internationally oriented community where companies, governments, and knowledge institutions work together on digital technology’s ethical and socially responsible use. So that we use the opportunities that this technology offers and know how to deal with its risks. In doing so, we also contribute to further strengthening the Netherlands and the European Union as a global cyber player.”
