Dutch business leaders feel pretty good about their IT infrastructure; 91% think their systems are top-notch, slightly above the global average of 90%. But here’s the kicker: only 36% feel ready for future risks. That’s a troubling gap between confidence and actual preparedness.
Rob Bravenboer, managing director of Kyndryl Netherlands, points out this disconnect loud and clear. He says companies acknowledge the threats of cyber attacks and regulatory pressures but aren’t quite acting on them yet. Alarmingly, 55% of business leaders list cyber security as their top concern, but only 25% believe they have the right tools to tackle it.
They’re aware they need to modernize, with 94% declaring it a priority. Yet, Kyndryl’s findings reveal 54% of essential IT infrastructure is outdated or at risk of becoming obsolete, leaving them vulnerable and hampering modernization efforts.
Investigations paint an even grimmer picture of critical infrastructure safety in the Netherlands. A RTL News report found that tens of thousands of traffic lights are vulnerable to remote hacking, a discovery made by 29-year-old ethical hacker Alwin Peppels. These systems were designed long before the digital landscape became a challenging environment, as cyber security expert Dave Maasland highlights. If we can manipulate traffic lights, what else is at risk?
The recurring theme is clear: organizations across all sectors need to scrutinize their cyber security measures. Zahier Madhar from Check Point emphasizes this urgency, insisting that cyber security can’t be an afterthought anymore.
The statistics are staggering. KnowBe4’s Global Infrastructure Report indicates that there were over 420 million attacks on critical infrastructure from January 2023 to January 2024, averaging 13 attacks every second. Check Point adds to this alarming trend, noting a 69% increase in weekly cyber attacks targeting Dutch organizations. The healthcare sector was hit hardest with 2,881 weekly attacks, followed by consultancy and government institutions.
Most vulnerabilities involve issues like information disclosure, exposing sensitive data to unauthorized access. The avenues of attack are varied as well. Check Point reports that 58% of malicious files are spread through the web, and 42% come from emails, illustrating our multifaceted threat landscape.
Moreover, geopolitical tensions are pushing adversaries, like those from Russia and China, to employ cyber attacks as disruptive tools, more than just information theft. Martin Krämer from KnowBe4 insists this underscores the need for ongoing investment in digital security.
While 94% of Dutch leaders want to modernize their tech, 54% grapple with outdated infrastructure, which increases risks and slows down innovation. Additionally, 67% worry about a skills shortage, but just 37% believe their systems can cope with that issue.
So, what can organizations do? Krämer advocates for a dual strategy that combines technological solutions with a solid security culture. Regular training and awareness programs can significantly boost resilience against cyber threats.
Dutch business leaders are already taking proactive steps. The Kyndryl report shows that they’re focusing on three key areas: investing in employee training (48%), upgrading IT systems (40%), and improving regulatory compliance (33%).
As the frequency of attacks continues to rise, Zahier Madhar makes it clear that governments, institutions, and businesses must unite to assess and improve their cyber security efforts. The vulnerability highlighted by the traffic light incident is just the tip of the iceberg. From water management to healthcare, increasing digitization invites new risks.
The clock is ticking, and Dutch business leaders must match their confidence with actionable steps to secure their critical infrastructure.