Director-General Erik Akerboom expressed his appreciation for the employees of the AIVD, including those from the past, at the start of the anniversary. Because they are willing to put their shoulders to truly remarkable work. As a result, the Netherlands is safer, and in that safety, freedoms can flourish.

The anniversary falls in a period of conflict and unrest. For the first time, the AIVD had to investigate so many threats simultaneously for the safety of the Netherlands and with such urgency.

And for the first time, the AIVD was questioned so much by organizations about what they can do to protect their processes and people.

Founded just after the war

The first predecessor of the AIVD, the National Security Bureau, was established on May 29, 1945, to track down, among other things, leftover networks of German agents that could disrupt the fragile peace with sabotage and terror. During the Cold War, the Domestic Security Service (BVD) investigated the threat from, among others, the Soviet Union, with fears of a third world war.
In the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, the threat of political terrorism played a significant role, from organizations like the RAF, ETA, and IRA. In the 1990s, especially after 9/11, the threat of jihadist attacks was central to the service.

Large number of threats

The current threat landscape is characterized by the large number of threats simultaneously. The Netherlands is the target of cyberattacks, espionage, and (preparatory) sabotage actions by other countries. The threat level of terrorism has been at the second-highest level since 2023. There are new terrorist threats, such as those from anti-institutional extremists. And the AIVD investigates undermining of the democratic legal order by criminal networks.

Thus, the AIVD continuously adapts its work to respond to the threats of the moment.