Netherlands builds "digital emergency kit"

Netherlands outdated — Image by Cybernews.

Willemijn Aerdts, Minister for the Digital Economy and Sovereignty, is working on a “digital emergency kit” to help government agencies and citizens take care of themselves during digital disasters, such as a national internet shutdown.

The Netherlands is building a "digital emergency kit" to prepare for potential internet shutdowns or tech service disruptions.
Dutch minister warns the country is dangerously dependent on American tech companies for critical infrastructure, from cloud hosting to tax systems.
The government wants citizens to survive independently for 72 hours without internet, phones, or digital payments.

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“I think we’ve been sitting back a little too long and too much. The situation was definitely different a few years ago,” Minister Aerdts says in an interview with Dutch news outlet AD when asked about the new administration’s emphasis on digital sovereignty.

“I think we’ve now been forced to face the facts: that, when it comes to digital technology, we’re actually very dependent on certain parties or certain countries,” she continues.

Aerdts is referring to growing concerns about the Netherlands’ dependency on American tech companies for its critical infrastructure. For example, the Netherlands relies on American cloud service providers to host websites. Government agencies, municipalities, and schools entrust Microsoft’s software on a massive scale.

woman, dutch canal, water, light brown-greyish bricks, blue jeans, blue jacket, black hair — Woman works on a laptop in the Netherlands. Michael Nguyen/NurPhoto/Getty.

Recently, the US company Fast Enterprises was contracted by the Ministry of Finance to modernize outdated IT systems used to collect VAT. And not too long ago, American IT service provider Kyndryl announced its interest in acquiring Solvinity, which is the supplier of DigiD, an application that allows Dutch authorities to verify someone’s identity online.

These cases show that the Netherlands is too dependent on US tech and that the Netherlands should boost its digital autonomy and sovereignty.

Aerdts’ solution is simple: the Netherlands should invest much more in Dutch and European digital ecosystems.

“Our software should no longer come from a single country, but from various European players,” she says.

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According to Aerdts, there are still “significant steps” to be taken to withstand digital emergencies. That’s why she’s planning to develop a so-called “digital emergency kit” that both the Dutch government and its citizens can use in a scenario if, for example, President Donald Trump forced major tech companies to cease providing services to specific countries or organizations.

“It’s mostly about communication. If something happens, the network will probably get overloaded right away. Have you talked to your parents, who live a block away, about what you’ll do in that case? Have you talked to your kids about what to do if their phone stops working? Do you still have a physical list of phone numbers and addresses? Do you still have a piece of paper at home with the names of your medications written down?” Minister Aerdts explains.

The Dutch government’s position is that Dutch citizens should be able to survive and function independently for 72 hours in the event of a nationwide emergency, such as when the internet goes down, communication towers and emergency lines no longer work, or people can’t pay with their bank cards.

Earlier this year, the government distributed leaflets with tips on what to do in such situations.

brown skin man hands, smartphone, white screen, dinosaur, no internet sign — A man uses his mobile phone with no internet signal. Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto Getty Images.

FAQ

What is the Netherlands' "digital emergency kit"?

The digital emergency kit is a preparedness plan designed to help Dutch citizens and government agencies survive for 72 hours during a nationwide digital emergency, such as an internet shutdown, communication network failure, or inability to use digital payments. It focuses primarily on maintaining communication when digital infrastructure fails and includes practical advice like keeping physical lists of phone numbers, addresses, and medication names.

Why is the Netherlands creating a digital emergency kit?

The Dutch government is concerned about the country's heavy dependence on American tech companies for critical infrastructure. Services ranging from cloud hosting and government software (like Microsoft) to identity verification systems (DigiD) rely on US providers. Minister Aerdts cited scenarios where geopolitical tensions could lead to service disruptions, for example, if a US president forced tech companies to stop serving certain countries.

How long should Dutch citizens be able to survive without internet?

The Dutch government expects citizens to be able to function independently for 72 hours (three days) without internet, phone networks, emergency lines, or digital payment systems. The government has distributed leaflets with preparedness tips and recommends that families create backup communication plans and keep physical records of essential information.

What practical steps should people take to prepare?

Minister Aerdts recommends discussing backup communication plans with family members, maintaining physical lists of phone numbers and addresses, keeping written records of medications, and having contingency plans for when phones and internet stop working. The government also advises citizens to prepare for scenarios where bank cards won't function and network overload prevents communication.