Netherlands Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in netherlands, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
Select Country Guide
Cyber Security
Last published date:

Overview

The Netherlands is marketed as the digital gateway to Europe and is considered one of the most wired countries in the world. The Dutch are investing heavily in cybersecurity because of increased threats worldwide. The Hague region has established itself as a cybersecurity hub over the past decade. The Dutch government established the Global Forum for Cyber Expertise in The Hague, which is already home to Europol’s European Cyber Crime Center (EC3) and the NATO Communications and Information (NCI) Agency. It is also home to The Hague Security Delta, the largest security cluster in Europe, in which (cyber) security businesses, government agencies, and knowledge institutions cooperate. The Netherlands is a European leader in FinTech, AgTech, and technology-based mobility solutions, boasting a sizable cluster of startups.

In 2023, the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) published the “National Cyber Security Strategy 2022-2028.” This document outlines the government’s long-term view on cybersecurity and sets out concrete actions to combat cyber threats. The full reports (in English) can be accessed on the NCSC website.

The cybersecurity market in growing fast in the Netherlands due to the increase of cyber threats in the Netherlands, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted a surge in remote work and digitalization, significantly raising the demand for robust cybersecurity solutions​. Threats from Russia and other select countries are also increasing the need for cybersecurity responses. This trend was notable during recent large-scale events in the Netherlands, including the NATO Summit, which was marked by an uptick in cyberattacks.

​Government investments are also increasing, as evidenced by various initiatives and funding programs aimed at boosting cybersecurity capabilities. The Netherlands continues to focus on enhancing its cybersecurity resilience, with strategic partnerships and a focus on innovation, particularly in sectors like cloud security, data protection, and identity management​. Thus, while specific numbers may vary, the trend of growing investments and the expansion of the cybersecurity market is firmly in place.

Leading Sub-sectors

Opportunities in the Netherlands are similar to the United States. The Dutch are early adopters of new technologies, making the market ripe for innovative cybersecurity solutions. U.S. cybersecurity firms often establish a presence in the United Kingdom before expanding into the Dutch market and branching out further into Europe. Key sub-sectors driving the Dutch cybersecurity market in 2024 and 2025 include cloud security, due to the country’s role as a major data hub in Europe, network security to protect growing digital infrastructures, data security driven by GDPR compliance requirements, identity and access management (IAM) to prevent unauthorized access, managed security services (MSS), as companies outsource due to a shortage of cybersecurity professionals, and endpoint security as remote work and mobile device usage increase. These sectors reflect a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, offering substantial growth opportunities​

Opportunities

Based on the Cybersecurity Assessment Netherlands (CSAN) 2024, several key opportunities in the cybersecurity market emerge, especially in response to the increasing complexity and scale of cyber threats. Here are the main opportunities:

  • State-Sponsored Cyber Threats:
    As state actors intensify cyber operations and broaden their capabilities, there is a growing need for advanced threat detection and countermeasures. Companies can capitalize on developing tools to detect and respond to sophisticated, state-backed cyberattacks, which may include the use of hacker groups or combined cyber and non-cyber tactics (e.g., disinformation campaigns).
     
  • Protection of Critical Infrastructure:
    The increasing targeting of vital infrastructures like wind farms and other critical systems (e.g., healthcare, transportation) opens up a market for specialized cybersecurity solutions designed to protect energy, utilities, and other critical sectors. This includes physical-digital security integration, threat intelligence, and incident response plans tailored to these industries.
     
  • Cybersecurity Risk Management Solutions:
    The CSAN emphasizes the need for a broader perspective on risk management that goes beyond basic cyber defense measures. There is room for the development of integrated cybersecurity risk management platforms that allow organizations to assess, monitor, and manage risks across interconnected systems, especially in environments like digital monocultures.
     
  • Combatting Large-Scale Outages:
    The risk of large-scale system outages, either from cyber incidents or other disruptions, highlights the need for disaster recovery and business continuity solutions. Companies offering resilient IT infrastructure, backup systems, and failover solutions can tap into this market, as organizations seek to mitigate the impact of potential outages.
     
  • Sensitive Data Protection:
    As global trade in sensitive personal data increases, there is a growing need for data encryption, privacy protection technologies, and secure data storage solutions. Opportunities exist in developing products that ensure compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations, especially for companies handling sensitive personal or business information.
     
  • Shortage of Cybersecurity Personnel:
    The scarcity of cybersecurity professionals presents an opportunity for training programs, cybersecurity certifications, and automation tools that can reduce reliance on human resources. Developing AI-driven solutions that support human teams or outsourcing models (e.g., managed detection and response services) could help bridge this talent gap.
     
  • Cybersecurity Legislation and Compliance:
    With the upcoming implementation of the NIS2 Directive and the merging of various cybersecurity bodies, there is a growing demand for solutions that help businesses comply with European cybersecurity regulations. This includes platforms for monitoring and reporting incidents, as well as tools for ensuring regulatory compliance with the new Cyber Security Act.
     
  • Public-Private Sector Collaboration:
    The success of public-private exercises like ISIDOOR IV presents an opportunity for cybersecurity companies to engage in collaborative efforts with governments, providing expertise, technologies, and solutions for crisis preparedness and incident response training.

Resources

Government Agency: National Cyber Security Center

Trade Events

CSC ONE Conference
October 6 & 7, 2026 
Annual conference organized by the National Cyber Security Center.

Cyber Security and Cloud Expo
October 20–21, 2026
The expo will explore key topics like data security, hybrid cloud strategies, and identity & access management​

Contact

Philip Hammerstein, Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service – The Netherlands
philip.hammerstein@trade,gov | 0031-70-310-2416

×

Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

Limitations

As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

Privacy

The Chatbot does not collect information about users and does not use the contents of users’ chat history to learn new information. All feedback is anonymous. Please do not enter personally identifiable information (PII), sensitive, or proprietary information into the Chatbot. Your conversations will not be connected to other interactions or accounts with ITA. Conversations with the Chatbot may be reviewed to help ITA improve the tool and address harmful, illegal, or otherwise inappropriate questions.

Translation

The Chatbot supports a wide range of languages. Because the Chatbot is trained in English and responses are translated, you should verify the translation. For example, the Chatbot may have difficulty with acronyms, abbreviations, and nuances in a language other than English.

Privacy Program | Information Quality Guidelines | Accessibility