The Dutch Ministry of Defence is preparing to launch a recruitment campaign aimed at bolstering the country’s cybersecurity by enlisting civilian specialists, NOS reports.
Cyber reservists — civilians who share their expertise with the military alongside their regular jobs — are seen as a valuable asset in protecting the Netherlands from foreign threats, according to NOS. To attract cyber talent, the Dutch Armed Forces plan to roll out a new recruitment campaign at the end of the summer. However, vacancies for cyber reservist positions have already been posted online.
Lieutenant Colonel Mathijs, commander of the Dutch cyber reservist unit (whose full name is not disclosed by NOS), stated that cyber reservists may take part in military exercises within the Netherlands or in NATO operations.
Currently, there are six cyber reservist units within the Dutch military, all reporting to the Ministry of Defence’s Cyber Command. The exact number of personnel involved remains classified for security reasons.
As NOS notes, this is not the first time the Dutch Defence Ministry has sought cyber reservists. The ministry had aimed to recruit 150 reservists over the past ten years, but that target has reportedly not been met.
