National Security Conference focuses on resilience and cooperation

Representatives of various security organisations will discuss current threats and ways to strengthen cooperation on national security. The conference’s theme is Strategic resilience and integrated cooperation. Participants will exchange knowledge and experiences and work towards better coordination between the police, defence, government agencies and civil organisations.

Minister Harish Monorath of Justice and Security expects the meeting to produce concrete proposals to increase mutual trust and clarity regarding tasks and responsibilities. The agenda includes crime, cross-border and subversive crime, cybersecurity, maritime security, energy supply and critical infrastructure. Economic security, food safety and food security will also be discussed.

Deputy Director of Security Policy Carmen van Dijk emphasises that the DNV is a strategic advisory body and not a police or military organisation. The service collects and verifies information on potential threats and, on that basis, advises the president and the government. “We collect and validate information and issue advice on that basis. This concerns our shared national security,” Van Dijk said. According to her, organisations must avoid working exclusively within their own structures. Information should not be regarded as the property of one organisation, but should be deployed jointly to protect national security.

Acting DNV director Major Gerard Kalka advocates a proactive approach. According to him, risks must be identified at an early stage so that measures can be taken before a crisis arises. “We must not only act when a crisis breaks out, but identify and detect risks in time. Cooperation among all security stakeholders is an absolute prerequisite in this regard,” Kalka said.