A foreign government is believed to have hacked into the Dutch police force’s systems, exposing the contact details of nearly 63,000 officers. The attack has raised serious concerns about cybersecurity and state-sponsored hacking.
A foreign government is believed to have hacked into the Dutch police force’s systems, exposing the contact details of nearly 63,000 officers. The attack reportedly took place on September 26, 2024.
The cyberattack on the Dutch police force was a sophisticated operation that targeted a specific police account. The attackers were able to exploit vulnerabilities in the system to gain access to the work-related contact details of nearly all Dutch police officers. While the exact method used by the hackers remains undisclosed, it is clear that they were highly skilled and well-prepared.
The hackers gained access to sensitive information including names, emails, phone numbers, private details of some, and ‘work related’ data. While the Dutch government has not publicly identified the perpetrators, intelligence agencies have concluded that a state actor was likely behind the attack.
“The police have been informed by the intelligence services that it is very likely a ‘state actor’, in other words: another country or perpetrators on behalf of another country,” stated Politie (national Dutch police).
The hack against the Dutch Police is noteworthy, as this is not a typical event. The agency is recognized globally for its high-profile actions and proactive stance against cybercrime. Some of its notable operations include seizing the infamous dark web drug and data marketplace HANSA, shutting down Raid Forums and Breach Forums, EncroChat, and targeting DDoS-for-hire sites, among others.
The stolen information could potentially be used to target officers, their families, or informants. The Dutch police immediately investigated the breach, enlisting the help of internal cyber specialists and national security partners. The investigation is ongoing, and the police have not yet publicly attributed the attack to a specific country or actor.
According to Justice and Security Minister David van Weel, the hack impacted (PDF) nearly all police officers in the Netherlands, leading to widespread unrest among officers, particularly those involved in covert operations. The stolen information has not yet been leaked online, but the chief of police and security services are taking the incident seriously.
The Netherlands Police Union chair, Nine Kooiman, called the hack a ‘nightmare,’ urging for prompt identification of the perpetrators. Nevertheless, the incident highlights the growing threat posed by state-sponsored cyberattacks. As countries increasingly rely on online infrastructure, the need for strong cybersecurity defences has never been more urgent.
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