NCTV: Half of the Dutch are concerned about cyber threats

Research by the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism shows that almost half of the Dutch population is concerned about cyber threats. Of those surveyed, 47 percent see cyber threats as a major risk to national security.

The NCTV has for the eleventh time research done to what the Dutch see as the greatest threat to national security. The NCTV calls it the Risk and Crisis Barometer (RCB). In this study, Dutch citizens are presented with events that could pose a threat to Dutch national security. Respondents must indicate about these events how likely they are that this will happen, the severity of the event and how concerned they are about the threat in question.

Previous studies have shown that the Dutch are most concerned about infectious diseases and tensions between population groups. The survey conducted by the NCTV this year between April 22 and May 6 shows that cyber threats are currently a major concern for most people.

After cyber threat, citizens are most concerned about geopolitical threats (47 percent) and failure of vital processes (43 percent). At the same time, the NCTV also sees a further decline in confidence in the government. Three out of ten Dutch people do not trust the information provided by the government in the event of a disaster or crisis.

Source: Risk and Crisis Barometer NCTV

Respondents were also allowed to indicate in open answers what they are most concerned about. There, 58 percent cite the shortcomings of government policy as the most important possible influence on security in the Netherlands, while the cyber threat scores much lower.

The research was carried out by research agency I&O Research. According to the NCTV, 2300 people participated in the study. The survey will be repeated in the fall.