Citizens, businesses, banks, schools, government, infrastructure – it is hard to think of who or what would not be in trouble if the internet went down. Every effort is therefore made to prevent this from happening. However, our digital systems are increasingly being put to the test – by hackers, scammers and organised crime, as well as foreign states such as Russia and China. Add to that increasing digital computing power and the recent emergence of AI, and it is clear that protecting the internet and ourselves is a major challenge. Welcome to the daily reality of Jurre Horsels.
We live in different times
"We used to look to our government for security”, Jurre begins. "With a central role and control of all vital systems, the task of keeping the Netherlands secure lay primarily with the state. The internet is such a vital system, which is actually becoming a little more important every day in our increasingly digitised society. However, a lot has changed in recent years. Internet providers like VodafoneZiggo have emerged, while the government has taken a step back. As a result, responsibility for this has become more fragmented."
Commercial and social role
Providers are commercial organisations first and foremost, which seek to serve their customers as well as possible. At the same time, we have a duty of care to society as a whole. Fulfilling that role well requires continuous effort and investment. In fact, we are always anticipating – the potential risks coming our way on one hand, and on the other, all the legislation and regulations aimed at ensuring security, especially in the European context. You constantly need to keep a close eye on both developments and always absorb them within your organisation in a timely manner. The regulatory element in particular can be so complex that it gets in the way of commercial activities."
Systems, people and knowledge
However, it may be a good thing, Jurre thinks, that the government took that step back at the time. "In order to develop the most secure internet possible, there is basically nothing you can do 'on your own', not even the state. There are many parties involved in making the digital world possible and everyone has a role to play in that, from hardware and software developers to regulators and supervisors, and providers like us."
"VodafoneZiggo is doing everything it can to guarantee the security of services – and in a broader sense to ensure that security is, and remains, the number one priority throughout the organisation. To this end, we invest in systems, people and knowledge. Above all, however, we work together a lot in order to be as effective as possible – within the industry, with the government, with suppliers, as well as with our parent companies Vodafone Group and Liberty Global."
Control versus access
Finally, it is up to the end user to keep the internet secure with things like strong passwords, as well as conscious and vigilant internet use. People often ask Jurre why this effort is needed. "This is because we cannot make everything watertight. And we do not want to do that either." To explain why, he uses the airport as an example. “When you’re there you sometimes think: not another passport check? But customs officers know something may have changed between one gate and another. Now imagine an airport where every step you take is subject to another extensive check. That is not the type of internet we want to build. So, at this level too, it is about balance: making the internet as secure as possible on one hand, while maximising accessibility on the other." Jurre concludes with an analogy: "It is up to you as a user to keep a close eye on your luggage yourself."