A/66/152 Netherlands [Original: English] [6 June 2011] General appreciation of the issues of information security The Netherlands supports safe and reliable information and communications technologies and the protection of an open, free Internet and respect for human rights. Safe and reliable information and communications technologies are essential for our prosperity and well-being and serve as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth. Information and communications technologies offer opportunities, but also make our society more vulnerable. The cross-border nature of threats makes international cooperation crucial. Many measures will be effective only if implemented or coordinated internationally. In this connection, the Netherlands attaches great importance to public-private partnerships and individual responsibility on the part of all users of information and communications technologies. Efforts taken at the national level to strengthen information security and promote international cooperation in the field The Netherlands is working nationally and internationally for a secure digital environment. At the national level, in February 2011, the Dutch Government presented a national cybersecurity strategy, entitled “Strength through cooperation”. In July 2011, as part of the strategy, the Government will establish a national cybersecurity council to ensure a collaborative approach between the public sector, the private sector and academic and research institutions. The Government will also establish a national cybersecurity centre to identify trends and threats and help manage incidents and crises. A major task of the centre will be to conduct cyberthreat analyses based on information from public and private parties. The centre will include the existing Government computer emergency response team. Internationally, the Netherlands contributes actively to the efforts of EU, NATO, the Internet Governance Forum, ITU and other partnerships. The Netherlands promotes practical cooperation between cybersecurity centres (including computer emergency response team organizations) and a strengthening of the International Watch and Warning Network. The rapid growth in cybercrime calls for effective enforcement to maintain confidence in the digital society. As to enforcement, the Netherlands aims to encourage more cross-border investigation with enforcement agencies from other European countries, and beyond. The Netherlands is a party to the Council of Europe’s Convention on Cybercrime and encourages others to accede to this convention. Possible measures that could be taken by the international community to strengthen information security at the global level The Netherlands realizes the importance of continuing dialogue on the development of standards of State behaviour aimed at the safe use of cyberspace. It is keen to contribute actively to this dialogue. The Netherlands’ starting point is an 11-41691 13