At present, many public and private organizations are engaged in research and the protection of cyber security. People are becoming increasingly aware of the growing dependence of citizens, businesses and governments on cyber services. This also means that the need for better cyber security is also becoming more explicit. It is becoming increasingly clear how digital devices can be effected and incidents are on the rise.. The recent report of the Dutch Safety Board on the Diginotarincident emphasizes the need for administrative attention to cyber security. The cyber security report released last week by the Dutch National Cyber Security Center outlines the various threats that may arise. There is in fact a wide range of new threats.

The comparison with the emergence of new terrorism and counterterrorism after 2001 is striking. Even now there are new public organizations with new powers which are fighting cyber insecurity. New legislation is being prepared. Threats are made explicit. Much time and money is set aside to for cyber security. Politics, media, administrators and managers pay more and more attention to cyber security. Cyber security is currently hot.

What can be learned from the focus on terrorism and counterterrorism after the attacks in 2011? It is crucial that those involved realize that there is a relatively short time available in which to reach institutions, legislation, finance, resources and people to address cyber security issues. Security is also subject to fashions. It is important to appreciate that the threat of cyber security has to appear realistic and should not be exaggerated. It is also not wise to create permanent new powers to achieve better cyber security, but instead to create powers with a time horizon. But first and foremost, politics, media, citizens, businesses and government have to create a long term strategy for cyber security which is effective, efficient and legal. This is a complex task in a digital world without a current state authority, and with many open standards and few real regulators This new fashion in security creates new challenges.

What can be learned from the focus on terrorism and counterterrorism after the attacks in 2011? It is crucial that those involved realize that there is a relatively short time available in which to reach institutions, legislation, finance, resources and people to address cyber security issues. Security is also subject to fashions. It is important to appreciate that the threat of cyber security has to appear realistic and should not be exaggerated. It is also not wise to create permanent new powers to achieve better cyber security, but instead to create powers with a time horizon. But first and foremost, politics, media, citizens, businesses and government have to create a long term strategy for cyber security which is effective, efficient and legal. This is a complex task in a digital world without a current state authority, and with many open standards and few real regulators This new fashion in security creates new challenges.