Joint Action

To raise awareness about digital crime, the East Netherlands police, the Center for Safety and Digitalization (CVD), the Platform for Safe Entrepreneurship East Netherlands (PVO), and the Safety Network East Netherlands are collaborating. They are calling on businesses, (semi-)government, schools, associations, and residents to participate in the action day. On April 2, actions will be organized throughout East Netherlands to increase awareness and help people better protect themselves against digital crime. The organization of the action day will then be handed over to other regions, such as Rotterdam, Central Netherlands, and North Netherlands.

Increasing Awareness and Reporting Willingness

Peter van den Berg, portfolio holder for Digital Transformation in East Netherlands: “Anyone can become a victim of digital crime. Yet many victims still experience shame. It is therefore important to make people aware of their digital resilience. Many citizens and businesses do not report or file a complaint when they have become victims. We hope that the willingness to report will be increased by this action day. Every report can help in the investigation of digital crime and in tracking down suspects.”

The actions that will be organized at a minimum of 100 locations in Gelderland and Overijssel are aimed at preventing digital crime. The focus is on small and medium-sized enterprises, youth, and those with lower digital skills, such as the elderly and low-literate individuals. Through targeted prevention actions, these groups receive practical tips on how to better protect themselves and thus prevent victimization.

Impact on Victims

Ester Weststeijn, mayor of the municipality of Rozendaal, and also one of the Cyber Mayors in the Netherlands: “A digital break-in affects people just as much, or even more, than a physical break-in at your home. I know examples of elderly people who no longer dare to open the door after becoming victims of bank helpdesk fraud. The impact on entrepreneurs who become victims of digital crime is also significant, not only financially but also emotionally. It undermines your trust when someone, faceless and at a distance, takes advantage of you. That is why I wholeheartedly support the action day Definitely Not Today. We can help each other better protect ourselves and one another.”

Getting Involved

Over 80 organizations have already joined the action day. Parties such as the Library, MKB-Nederland, National Elderly Fund, Northwave, WijZ Welfare, CoderDojo, schools, municipalities, and the Cyberbrein Foundation are organizing actions throughout East Netherlands.

Do you also want to contribute? You can do this by setting up an action yourself, joining an existing activity, or spreading the message. An action can be as big or small as desired. More information, campaign materials, and an overview of the actions registered so far can be found at www.echtnietvandaag.nl.

ER