DNB versterkt schild tegen cyberaanvallen en geopolitieke chaos
Utrecht, woensdag, 25 februari 2026.
De Nederlandsche Bank neemt extra maatregelen om het financiële systeem te beschermen tegen cyberaanvallen en hybride dreigingen. De dreiging komt steeds vaker van buiten de grens. Financiële instellingen moeten nú handelen. De digitale afhankelijkheid van niet-Europese IT-bedrijven vormt een groot risico. Storingen in betalingen of spaarrekeningen kunnen sneller escaleren. DNB dringt aan op bredere controle en minder kwetsbaarheid. Ook eigen processen worden nu herzien. Volgens DNB is strategische autonomie van Europa cruciaal. De bank bereidt zich voor op extreem weer, oorlogsscenarios én langdurige stroomuitval. Burgers hebben vaak te weinig contant geld thuis voor noodgevallen. Ruim de helft heeft minder dan 70 euro per volwassene. Dat vormt een stil zwakke plek in de keten.
escalating threat landscape prompts decisive action
The financial system faces growing pressure from hybrid threats such as cyberattacks and disruptions to logistical chains. The Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) identifies these risks as increasingly likely, especially amid rapid geopolitical change [2]. Financial institutions rely heavily on interconnected digital networks, making systemic vulnerabilities difficult to isolate [1]. An attack could cascade beyond finance, impacting essential societal functions like power supply and logistics. DNB emphasizes its responsibility extends to ensuring stability during extreme scenarios, including prolonged power outages lasting 72 hours [2][4].
strategic dependencies under scrutiny
A key concern highlighted by DNB is the sector’s deep reliance on non-European IT providers [1][2]. This dependence creates significant operational risk, potentially leading to service failures during international crises [4]. The central bank warns this dependency runs “like a fault line beneath our financial system” [4]. While immediate alternatives may be limited, DNB stresses financial firms must take ownership of their resilience [2]. On the strategic level, enhancing Europe’s technological autonomy is deemed crucial for long-term security and cannot be delayed [1][2].
fortifying the financial core
In response, DNB has launched a dedicated resilience program focused on geopolitical risks [4]. This initiative maps potential incidents and defines concrete actions to mitigate them [4]. The central bank expects supervised institutions to strengthen their own defenses proportionally [2]. Collaboration with other European supervisors is also being intensified to maintain effective oversight [2]. Internal processes at DNB itself are undergoing review to ensure continuity of its core tasks—supervision and payment system oversight—even under severe duress [2][4].
the fragile link in the chain: household preparedness
Despite extensive public guidance, a critical vulnerability remains at the consumer level. Research shows 40 percent of Dutch citizens hold insufficient cash for emergencies, defined as less than 70 euros per adult and 30 euros per child [3][5]. Nearly ten percent possess no physical money whatsoever [3][5]. This advice stems from a May 2025 recommendation by DNB and the Maatschappelijk Overleg Betalingsverkeer (MOB), prompted by rising cyber and geopolitical threats [3]. The lack of readiness undermines broader financial system resilience if electronic payments fail [3][5].