The AIVD should be allowed more digitally

The AIVD should legally be allowed more room to monitor the Dutch networks. Not to spy on Dutch citizens, but to scan for the presence of intelligence services. This advocates Ronald Prins, director of the IT security company Fox-it, in response to the news on the digital break-in at the Belgian telecom company Belgacom.The Dutch government can do more to protect the Dutch infrastructure. The AIVD is currently not allowed to scan the internet lines for the presence of foreign information services, while those are definitely present. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"26104","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-6683","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"225","alt":"Zoetermeer_De_Leyens_AIVD_kantoor_(1)"}}]] Zoetermeer_De_Leyens_AIVD_kantoor_(1)
S.J. de Waard
Wikimedia commons In the past there have been instances with digital espionage by Iranians, Russians and Chinese. Oftentimes it not only concerns political or diplomatic espionage, but more and more economic espionage. The revelations of Edward Snowden and the recent break-in at Belgacom proved that the USA and the United Kingdom also spy on their allies. Prins suggests the AIVD should help companies defend themselves. During the Cold War we deemed it acceptable when there were Russians around, the BVD (homeland security) was never far off. If there's a foreign intruder on our networks, I expect nothing less from the AIVD than to send them back. Following the Belgacom-affaire, the Dutch network was also scanned for activities, suggesting espionage. So far none were found. KPN is well prepared. They had a significant incident about a half year ago. Since then a lot of security measures were put in place so they can see if such an attack is executed. And then they can also respond quickly.