COUNTRY FOCUS: NETHERLANDS
There’s no doubt that the
Netherlands is one of Europe’s
trailblazers when it comes to
Digital Transformation. We hear
now how the Netherlands is rapidly
developing into a breeding ground for
digital innovation and new business
models of the future, albeit with some
hurdles along the way.
The Netherlands is
leading the digital pack –
But can it stay there
Michiel Eielts, Managing
Director Benelux, Equinix, says
that the public sector itself
must quickly engage with the hubs,
networks and ecosystems if the
Netherlands is to remain a frontrunner
in the digital economy. He tells us more.
In the Netherlands, we’re proud to be
playing a leading role in Europe around
digitisation and digital tools. The facts
bear it out: we have one of the most
competitive economies in Europe and
are one of the most digitised societies.
Our digital infrastructure has made the
Netherlands a gateway to Europe, as
exemplified by Schiphol Airport and the
Port of Rotterdam.
The government and the Internet,
however, have a unique and paradoxical
relationship. On the one hand, the
information superhighway has unleashed
countless opportunities to improve services
for citizens, to create new opportunities
for entrepreneurs and to grow the
economy. Now, citizens and companies
alike expect easy access to digital tools
for doing business with the government
and each other. On the other hand,
however, the new digital technologies have
unfortunately brought with them new and
serious threats.
In the most extreme cases, the negative
consequences of digitisation, such as data
security risks and privacy concerns, can even
constrain governments from accessing the
opportunities offered by digitisation.
How the government can contribute
to a digital society
These contradictory trends lead us to the
big question: how can the Netherlands
strengthen its role as a digital pioneer while
dealing with the threats that arise from its
Digital Transformation? The digitisation of
services is in full swing, but hurdles around
IT infrastructure still abound for public
institutions. These will have to be overcome
before we can speak of a truly digital society.
Common Ground, the Dutch organisation
for information sharing between
50 INTELLIGENTCIO www.intelligentcio.com