The ANVR will help affiliated members to get their cybersecurity in order. To this end, the ANVR has entered into a cooperation agreement with the Samen Digitaal Veilig (SDV) initiative. Through SDV’s online platform, ANVR companies can take the first steps to increase their cyber security free of charge. It is also possible to comply with the European NIS2 directive in steps. Companies can participate in this at a substantial discount via their own SDV-ANVR portal. ‘Hacking a website, sending malware, et cetera was something special a few years ago, but nowadays it has unfortunately become a standard risk that companies have to take more into account. Hacking, shutting down companies and demanding bitcoins is more and more the practice’, says the ANVR. “The question is not if, but when a company will have to deal with a cyber problem,” says Ron Vermeulen, partner manager of Samen Digitaal Veilig. ‘Not every hack can be prevented, but a targeted approach can significantly reduce the risk and prevent irreparable damage to the company.’ Samen Digitaal Veilig, an initiative of MKB Nederland, VNO-NCW and IVBB (Institute for Associations, Branches and Professions) helps companies with this. The agreement with Samen Digitaal Veilig means that ANVR members will receive extensive information about the dangers of hackers, and how they can protect themselves against them. Members can participate in webinars, but also use the support desk. There is a European standard for cyber security, the NIS2 Directive. Vital sectors already have to meet high cybersecurity requirements, but they can of course (or will be) impose their requirements on suppliers, such as business travel companies, says the ANVR. ‘The chain care obligation means that you, as an essential or important company, are responsible and obliged to ensure that your chain suppliers (companies that supply you, ed.) also implement appropriate cybersecurity measures.’ Holiday providers may not be a vital sector, but that doesn’t make healthcare any less. What if, for example, hackers know exactly when the customer is away from home? The ISO standards are too heavy for SMEs, but with the NIS2 quality mark and SDV’s online platform, SMEs can gradually grow to the most suitable security level for them. “Travel companies don’t have a physical product. In our sector, it’s not about stuff, it’s about travellers,’ says ANVR director Frank Oostdam. ‘This makes the industry vulnerable. The consequences for travel companies, but also their customers, can be significant in the event of a hack. That is why it is very important that companies have their cybersecurity in order. With Samen Digitaal Veilig, the ANVR is going to help companies with this.’ On the website of the ANVR (member benefit) you can find extensive information for ANVR companies to take steps to secure their systems. The NIS2 Quality Mark offers three levels, which are in line with the risk that an organisation runs. The ANVR concludes with a comparison: ‘Companies are well insured for fire, but they often do not have insurance for cyber risks, while the chance of this is more than ten times as much. The financial risks can also be enormous and even ruin a company.’ (Photo Shutterstock).
