What causes the attraction of the The Hague and its region on the global cybersecurity community? Is it its centuries of heritage as the International City of Peace and Justice? Is it the presence of the many large organizations such as NATO/ NCIA, Europol and the International Court of Justice? Is it the high quality of life, its large international community and the many international schools?
City of peace, justice and security
In the late 19th and early 20th century, The Hague hosted Peace Conferences where dozens of countries discussed disarmament and international jurisdiction. This led to the establishment of the Permanent Court of Arbitration here. In 1913 the Peace Palace was officially opened and the court has been run from there since. The Hague saw more and more international initiatives establish in the century that followed.
Having spent several years at InnovationQuarter, I’ve come to observe that The Hague’s appeal, coupled with its surrounding region, encompasses all the aforementioned factors, crowned by a fundamental business asset: substantial purchasing influence. Based on my experience, proximity has proven to be a vital catalyst for success.
Amplifying business by community
To consolidate and expand its position as a hotspot for cybersecurity, the Security Delta (HSD) was collaboratively established by the city of The Hague and the industry in 2013. This leading cybersecurity cluster serves as a highly interactive network of businesses, governments and knowledge institutes, working together on innovative security solutions and knowledge development. Their goal is simple: a more secure world, more business and more jobs.
Among the almost 300 partners in the Security Delta are Europol, NCI-Agency, OPCW, Eurojust, various Ministries of the Dutch government and renowned knowledge institutes in our region. In the HSD cluster, partners provide training facilities and programs, collaboration challenges, network and pitching opportunities.
Excellent accessibility
Situated atop one of The Hague’s three major train stations, at 28 minutes reach from Schiphol Airport, the HSD Campus and its dedicated office facilities has helped companies from the Netherlands and abroad to settle into the community and get their business up and running quickly.
Unveiling talent opportunities: harnessing The Hague’s magnetic pull
The availability of talent is a pivotal factor for businesses establishing themselves here. Our region boasts around 17,600 skilled cybersecurity professionals. This workforce continues to grow, fueled by a consistent influx of fresh graduates from esteemed universities and educational institutions within our vicinity. Security Delta HSD is the largest security cluster in Europe composed of over 250 organisations that collectively employ more than 15,000 professionals. While the primary focus is on cybersecurity, the cluster’s member organisations are also actively involved in national security, urban security, forensics, critical infrastructure, and more.
Global Talent Access
If the specific skills you need for the job can’t be sourced locally, its easy to attract talent from abroad. Furthermore, should the need arise to attract talent from beyond the EU, the Dutch Government’s Highly Skilled Migrant route facilitates the swift recruitment of new employees to the Netherlands within a couple of weeks.
Attracting Talented Expats
Our region stands as a beacon on the global job market, attracting talent from all corners. Once settled, many expats choose to remain in The Hague due to its exceptional quality of life. The city offers a spacious, green and safe environment with excellent cycling infrastructure and numerous International Schools. It’s an affordable place to call home, with the added bonus of the stunning beach. With its rich international heritage and a robust cluster of English-speaking service providers attuned to expat needs, The Hague thrives as a welcoming hub for professionals worldwide.
Elevating the Business Angle: Seizing Market Opportunities
Enhancing these points with a touch of business angle, I am fully aware of the challenges businesses face while striving to penetrate their desired market segments. In this context, it is advisable to delve into the developments in the cybersecurity landscape within the Netherlands. Naturally, new regulations on a European scale, such as Nis2 and the Cyber Resilience Act, will have a significant impact. Events like the ONE Conference serve as a platform for uniting the cybersecurity community, and the numerous initiatives aimed at safeguarding various market sectors are highly valuable in the current environment. Examples of these include the Cyber Resilience Center in the Port of Rotterdam, the Digital Trust Center, and the various ISACs (Information Sharing and Analysis Centers).
It’s fantastic to witness new substantial opportunities emerging as well, such as the recent announcement by NATO of its new 1.1 billion dollar innovation center to be housed in the Netherlands. It’s considered one of the most innovative countries in the world and a leader in cybersecurity, with a thriving ecosystem of startups and established companies, knowledge institutions and governments, accelerated by the Dutch security cluster HSD.
Discover the Potential
If you’re intrigued by what The Netherlands, especially the vibrant Rotterdam – The Hague region, has to offer, don’t hesitate to connect. My colleague, Philip Meijer, and I are more than happy to address any queries you may have. Your journey to exploration and innovation in the cybersecurity domain starts here!
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the cybersecurity and business environment in our region. You’ll be introduced to service providers, potential (technology) partners, and facilities.
Martijn van Hoogenhuijze
Senior Account Manager Cybersecurity / Teamlead Foreign Investments
