Fighting Digital Fires

Research for policy, pp. 1–8

Abstract

Abstract Suppose a ‘fire’ breaks out in the digital realm. Which fire brigade would we call? Do we sufficiently understand the vulnerabilities? What should we prioritize in our fire-fighting efforts? What powers do the authorities have to minimize the number of victims and to limit the damage? Are their powers commensurate for our digital world? These questions take on renewed urgency when the ‘fire’ in question is not limited to the digital domain but, left unchecked, has the ability to disrupt the ‘real world’ and undermine confidence in public institutions. Answering these questions inevitably leads to fundamental questions about the role of government, citizens and businesses. These themes are the subject of this report.

Authors 3

1. Erik Schrijvers

   Scientific Council for Government Policy

   Affiliation as printed

   Senior Research Fellow, Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy, The Hague, The Netherlands

2. J.E.J. Prins

   Scientific Council for Government Policy

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair and Member of the Council, Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy, The Hague, The Netherlands

3. Reijer Passchier Aachen Assistant Professor

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Assistant Professor, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands