Seven Dutch security agencies warn that artificial intelligence can speed up cyberattacks and make them more accessible to bad actors. In a joint statement, they urge leaders to give security more priority, funding, and capacity.
The warning comes from the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV), the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the AIVD, the MIVD, the Public Prosecution Service, CIO Rijk, and the police. According to the agencies, AI can amplify existing weaknesses in digital defenses. Attackers can use the technology to find vulnerabilities, write phishing emails, and automate parts of an attack.
How AI reshapes cyberattacks
AI helps attackers move faster. The full statement cites the discovery and exploitation of vulnerabilities, the development of malware, and the personalization of deceptive messages. Off‑the‑shelf, easily accessible AI models can already do much of this. The warning isn’t limited to the most powerful systems.
For organizations, response time becomes critical. A security update only helps once it’s actually installed. The statement warns that the window between an update’s release and the potential exploitation of a flaw may shrink. That makes system visibility, timely patching, and anomaly detection more urgent.
The agencies describe a threat landscape and a trend—not a specific new attack on a Dutch organization. NCTV coordinator Marc Kuipers says they don’t want to wait until the impact shows up widely in incidents.
Three moves leaders should make now
The seven agencies address their call directly to leadership. They outline three steps organizations can take today:
- Get the basics right. Reduce externally exposed systems, replace outdated software that no longer receives security updates, and allocate people and budget for upkeep.
- Reassess security against current risks. Ensure updates are applied quickly. Create a plan for when an attacker gets in anyway—and drill who does what, when.
- Take AI signals seriously. Track evolving attack methods and have technical experts assess what they mean for your organization.
This mandate goes beyond IT. A security team can flag a legacy system, but leadership typically decides on replacement, budget, and whether to pause operations. According to the statement, leaders must own the risks. The NCSC also frames digital resilience as a core part of organizational strategy.
Your own AI use matters, too
The statement urges organizations to look at AI risks from both sides: attackers use models, but so do employees and security teams. That means knowing which AI tools you deploy internally—and which data, systems, and workflows they touch.
The fallout from a successful attack goes well beyond downtime. The signatories point to disruption of vital services, theft of personal data, and espionage where sensitive information quietly leaks out. Their message to leaders is clear: assess your defenses against the speed and scale of today’s threat—and free up people and budget to fix the weaknesses you find.
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