Cyber Security Week 2015 - Recap of the Event

In April 2015, The Netherlands and the city of The Hague were the centre of the cyber world by hosting the Global Conference on Cyberspace and the NCSC One Conference. At the same time, The Hague Security Delta, the largest security cluster in Europe, organised a Cyber Security Week at the HSD Campus in The Hague. This proved to be thé place to experience how in the Netherlands businesses, governments, and knowledge institutions create knowledge and work together on innovations in the field of cyber security. Key ingredients for developing such innovative cyber security solutions are Access to Talent, Market, Access to Innovation and Capital.’ The themes of the Cyber Security Week, which was opened by deputy-mayor of the city of The Hague Ingrid van Engelshoven. Creating future security talent starts at a young age. To spark the interest of primary school students, HSD partner Deloitte organised a Hacklab on the opening day of the Cyber Security Week. In the afternoon, university students had the opportunity to experience what it’s like to work in the cyber security field. Ingrid van Engelshoven (Deputy Major of the city of The Hague) explains: ‘Qualified personnel is key for innovation, and that is why we invest in education on all the levels.’
Also, Access to business & knowledge partners are of great importance for developing innovations and doing business in cyber security. That is why on the second day an international matchmaking event was organised, including a trade mission from Canada and the US. Rinke Zonneveld (Executive Director of Innovation Quarter) explains: ‘This region is very attractive for foreign countries to invest in, because we have three top universities, we have a giant talent pool and we have in all national top sectors outstanding companies’. Perry Roach (CEO of Netsweeper) explains: ‘trade mission participant. I think the strategy of bringing the triple helix together with the government and other institutions, along with the resources, is really gonna help with the execution, which is what really is all about; executing our plans.’

'Highlight of the cyber security week was the Innovation Room, where 20 Dutch cyber security innovations were demonstrated. It was opened by the Dutch minister of economic affairs Henk Kamp and the mayor of the city of The Hague, Jozias van Aartsen. The minister emphasized the importance of Cyber Security innovations for the future. And the mayor of the Hague highlighted the opportunities in the cyber security field for the city. Jozias van Aartsen (Mayor of The Hague) explains ‘The impact of the Cyber Security Week is enormous for The Hague. It will without any doubt lead to more jobs in this sector in The Hague.’ 1.250 visitors attended the Innovation Room, where there was special interest for responsible disclosure, in which the Netherlands are a front runner. Dick Schoof (National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism) explains: ‘We call ethical hacking responsible disclosure. Responsible disclosure protects the hacker but also protects the company. And in that way hackers can help to stop security breaches’. The availability of capital is essential for developing innovative ideas into working systems and products. Therefore, on the final day of the Cyber Security Week, six innovative start-ups pitched their ideas to no less than 30 national and international investors.’
Tracks Inspector was one of these start-ups. Hans Henseler (CEO Tracks Inspector) explains: ‘We are pitching our software, which enables non-technical investigators of police forces to investigate digital evidence to a very simple, easy to use web interface.’ The Cyber Security Week was a huge success thanks to the cooperation of 75 HSD-partners. Together we welcomed 1,700 visitors and 50 journalists, who provided the national security cluster HSD with worldwide media coverage, highlighting The Netherlands’ position as the secure digital gateway to Europe.