Free cybersecurity blueprint for civil society.

The Hague is sharing its approach to strenghten the digital resilience of civil society.

After helping hundreds of NGOs, charities and community organisations strengthen their digital resilience, The Hague(NL) is now making its approach available to cities around the world. At the beginning of Cybersecurity Week, the City of The Hague and Protect.^ngo*launched the Cybersecurity Blueprint for Civil Society: a free practical guide that enables municipalities to build their own local cybersecurity support network for civil society organisations.

The blueprint is based on a model that has already proven successful in The Hague. Since 2023, the programme has expanded from supporting humanitarian NGOs to helping charities, neighbourhood organisations, sports clubs and volunteer-led foundations strengthen their cyber resilience. With this practical guide municipalities worldwide can replicate this approach, by building partnerships, engaging cybersecurity volunteers and creating sustainable support networks for civil society.

One of many organisations dedicated to strengthening their cyber resilience is The Hague Humanity Hub, which brings together a diverse community of nonprofits working to build a more peaceful, just and sustainable world. Like many organisations in this community, the Hub relies on secure digital infrastructure to connect its members, share knowledge and support collaboration. As civil society organisations increasingly face cyber threats, strengthening digital resilience is essential to ensuring that the Hub can continue to support its community effectively. Through the programme, the Hub nearly quadrupled its cybersecurity assessment score, reflecting substantial improvements in its overall digital resilience. This measurable progress contributes to strengthening the Hub's ability to protect its operations, staff, and community, allowing it to focus on what matters most: connecting and supporting the organisations working to create positive change.

Richard de Mos, Alderman for Economic Affairs & Cybersecurity, City of The Hague: "Local businesses, charities, sports clubs and community organisations are the backbone of every city. They strengthen neighbourhoods, support people and keep our communities connected. They should be able to focus on what they do best, not on defending themselves against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. As a city, we believe we have a role in helping protect the organisations that make our city stronger. By sharing this blueprint, we hope more cities will do the same."

“Join the movement”
The message accompanying the launch is simple: Join the movement. The blueprint is designed as an open resource. Rather than prescribing a fixed model, it provides municipalities with practical guidance on building partnerships, engaging local cybersecurity professionals, recruiting volunteers and supporting community organisations. Cities are encouraged to adapt the framework to their own local context and, in doing so, join a growing international movement to strengthen the digital resilience of civil society.

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* Protect.^ngo is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the cybersecurity and digital resilience of civil society organisations. Formally known as the CyberPeace Institute, Protect.^ngo helps charities, humanitarian organisations and community groups gain access to trusted cybersecurity expertise, practical support and capacity building. Through partnerships with governments, volunteers and the private sector, Protect.^ngo works to ensure that organisations serving the public can operate safely in an increasingly digital world.

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