Working with sensitive information requires good judgment and constant vigilance
Following its investigation into the handling of sensitive information by the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) and the police, the Central Government Audit Service (ADR) has concluded that the two organisations had insufficient security measures in place for such information, and they need to be better prepared for abuses committed by staff with authorised access to sensitive information. Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel is adopting the ADR’s recommendations.
The minister instituted an independent investigation into the handling of sensitive information by the NCTV and the police after two individuals were arrested in October 2023 on suspicion of possessing and disclosing state-secret information. The ADR examined the situation as it was on 1 October 2023.
Some of the recommendations have already been implemented by means of measures taken in response to the arrests in October 2023. Careful account will be taken of all the ADR’s recommendations when further measures are introduced to improve security and raise awareness of how sensitive information should be handled. Mr Van Weel has asked the ADR to monitor the NCTV’s response to the recommendations and make additional recommendations if necessary. The police will include the recommendations in their internal audit cycle and report to the ADR on their progress.