The head of the Netherlands' General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) Eric Akerbom spoke about the catching of hackers from Russia and China, which allegedly happens every day, wrote the NOS edition on February 11. The Russian media have only now paid attention to the article.
“Every day, we catch hackers from both China and Russia who break into computers of companies and educational institutions. They also target vital infrastructure such as drinking water supplies, banks, telecommunications and energy networks, ”Akerbom said.
In this regard, he believes, intelligence needs more money to fight attacks. According to Akerbom, the attacks already “threaten the country's ability to make money.” Threatened industries are the marine, agriculture, aerospace, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.
RIA Novosti, in turn, drew attention to the fact that the head of the intelligence did not give specific examples of cyber attacks.
In December 2020, the Netherlands accused two Russian diplomats of espionage, calling them undercover Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) officers. The Russians were declared persona non grata. In response, Moscow expelled two employees of the Dutch embassy. The accusations against the Russians of activities incompatible with diplomatic status were called “unfounded and defamatory.”
