DHS signs cyber security agreement with the Netherlands

Ivo Opstelten

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Dutch Minister of Security and Justice Ivo Opstelten agreed to coordinate a number of cyber security initiatives in a letter of intent signed on Feb. 22.

The letter of intent focuses efforts by both countries to build cooperative cyber security initiatives to promote a safe, secure and resilient cyber environment, said DHS in a Feb. 22 statement. Napolitano had traveled to the Netherlands last June to meet with her counterparts as part of the DHS’s efforts to secure the global supply chain and international transportation systems.

The letter of intent, said DHS, recognizes expanded coordination between the United States and the Netherlands, and outlines several areas to further collaborate on cyber security including incident management and response activities, control systems security, and cyber security exercises.

During the meeting, Napolitano and Opstelten also discussed the importance of international security partnerships as well as collaborative efforts to combat terrorism and transnational crime, and ensure a stronger, safer, and more resilient global supply chain, according to DHS.

“The United States is strongly committed to working with international partners to combat threats to security and economic stability,” said Napolitano. “This Letter will help us strengthen collaboration and cooperation in the area of Cyber security with the Dutch government to better protect the citizens of both nations.”

“Cyber security has become a priority on the international agenda. In January, the Netherlands opened the National Cyber security Center, a partnership between the public, private and academic sectors. Bilateral security cooperation between the Netherlands and the United States is already strong and this Letter of Intent will further enhance our collaboration in Cyber security,” said Opstelten.