Cyber threats are evolving too quickly for businesses and governments

The Dutch National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) warns in its 2026 Cybersecurity Report that digital threats are evolving faster than the defensive capabilities of organizations in the Netherlands. State actors from countries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are increasingly utilizing sophisticated cyber warfare, while criminal groups continue to target businesses for data theft and extortion, as seen in the recent breach at Odido. The NCTV notes that a lack of strategic management, funding, and resources has created a dangerous gap in national resilience.

Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence is accelerating the threat landscape by enabling more efficient malware development and automated attack execution. Although AI also offers potential for defensive measures to identify vulnerabilities, the NCTV emphasizes that smaller organizations, in particular, struggle to keep pace with these advancements. Without urgent improvements in cybersecurity infrastructure and institutional ownership, the report predicts a significant rise in disruptive cyber incidents that could impact critical national processes and societal stability.