The Dutch armed forces should learn how to fight a digital war, defence minister Hans Hillen told a congress at the Dutch military academy on Wednesday.

A digital attack can disrupt society in many ways, such as by crippling the banking system, Hillen said in his speech. This means society needs to arm itself against the possibility.
There should also be greater focus on digital self defence, by protecting networks, analysing data traffic and recognising digital attacks, he said. At the same time, the army will develop ‘offensive operational capacities,’ he said.
Weapons
‘Neutralising an opponent remains a special task for the military, including in the digital sphere,’ he said.
The minister did not give any indication of what digital weapons might look like, or digital war in general, the NRC pointed out.
‘Cyber is the fifth sphere for military action, alongside land, sea, air and space,’ Hillen said. ‘The digital sphere and the use of digital resources as a weapon or information instrument are being developed. I am convinced we are at the beginning of an important change in military performance.’
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