Dutch Ministry of Defense seeks cyber reservists to strengthen national security
The Dutch Ministry of Defense is seeking to expand its cyber defense capabilities by recruiting cyber reservists as part of its growing efforts to bolster the military’s readiness against rising global cyber threats, particularly from countries like China and Russia, NOS reports. The push for more cyber expertise is set against the backdrop of increasing cyberattacks targeting national security and critical infrastructure.
As part of its strategy to strengthen its cybersecurity forces, the Ministry is launching a new recruitment campaign for cyber personnel, including reservists, which is scheduled to begin after the summer. However, several positions for cyber reservists have already been posted online.
Cyber reservists play a crucial role in the Dutch defense strategy. These are civilians, typically working in digital security fields, who contribute their expertise to the military on a part-time basis. They work under zero-hour contracts and are called upon to assist with tasks such as cyber defense operations, including during evenings or weekends, often balancing this with their civilian careers.
Matthijs, a lieutenant colonel and the commander of the cyber reservists, has been serving in this role since 2016, alongside his job as a strategic advisor at a cybersecurity company. He described the work as challenging but rewarding, particularly given the demands of balancing a full-time job and family commitments. "It’s definitely a challenge with a full-time job and a family, but in my experience, it’s always manageable," Matthijs told NOS.
While the job itself is not secret, Matthijs emphasized the importance of discretion. Cyber reservists are advised to avoid discussing their work on social media due to the potential risks of attracting attention from hostile foreign powers. "Some assignments are better kept private, and certain tasks would be risky to share publicly," he noted.
Cyber reservists are also eligible to participate in military exercises, both within the Netherlands and abroad, including in NATO operations. Such deployments are voluntary and can range from a few days to several months. The units fall under the Defense Cyber Command (DCC), and the current structure includes six platoons.
Despite initial difficulties in recruiting enough reservists, the need for such personnel has grown significantly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has reportedly heightened cyber threats globally. Although the DCC had set a goal of recruiting 150 reservists over ten years, the target has not been met.
Last year, the number of cyber reservists stood at 110, according to former Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren. A Defense spokesperson confirmed that the numbers have increased since the onset of the Ukraine conflict but did not provide exact figures due to operational security concerns.
Cyber expert Bert Hubert, who has worked with the Dutch intelligence agency AIVD, pointed out the challenges in comparing the role of cyber reservists to that of traditional reserve forces. "Unlike a firefighter who can immediately act in an emergency, cyber defense is far more complex. It’s like asking a bookkeeping reservist to handle an entire company’s finances," Hubert explained to NOS.
The process of recruiting, screening, and training cyber reservists has historically faced significant bureaucratic hurdles. "The previous attempt to recruit cyber reservists got bogged down in bureaucracy," Hubert said. The Ministry of Defense has acknowledged these challenges, which have delayed efforts to expand the program.
One significant issue is the limited operational capacity of cyber units during peacetime. Colonel Peter Pijpers, a professor of cyber warfare at the Netherlands Defense Academy, explained that unlike traditional military units such as the army or navy, cyber units cannot easily be "prepared" for action. "For cyber units, it’s like a surgeon trying to perform surgery with only textbook knowledge," Pijpers said to NOS.
To address this, the Dutch government is allegedly working on a new law, the Wet op de Gereedstelling (Readiness Act), which aims to allow more flexibility in cyber operations, particularly in the "gray zone" between war and peace. This includes hybrid warfare tactics, such as disrupting financial transactions or targeting supply chains, which go beyond traditional cyberattacks like hacking.
The role of a cyber reservist is diverse, ranging from developing security software to conducting simulated attacks on Defense systems to identify vulnerabilities. "It’s tailored work," Matthijs said, emphasizing that the role requires individuals who are truly passionate about the field and willing to contribute their expertise to national security.
Matthijs described the work as a calling for many. "You have to be genuinely driven to do this alongside another job. These are people who want to make a real contribution to the security of the Netherlands, and they truly enjoy the work. It’s essentially a group of passionate ‘nerds’ coming together," he said.
