The Dutch National Police (Politie) has confirmed that a recent cybersecurity incident caused by a phishing attack had only a limited impact and did not compromise citizens’ data.
According to an official statement released on Wednesday, the attack was quickly detected by the police’s Security Operations Center. The team acted immediately to block unauthorized access to affected systems, preventing further damage.
Authorities said the investigation is still ongoing, but early findings suggest that sensitive information, including citizen data and investigative records, was not accessed or exposed. A criminal investigation has also been launched to determine who was behind the attack and how it was carried out.
So far, the police have not shared details about when the breach was first discovered or whether any internal employee data may have been affected. They also have not disclosed which systems or accounts were targeted.
This is not the first cybersecurity incident involving the Dutch police. In September 2024, the agency reported a separate breach linked to a suspected state-sponsored actor. That attack exposed work-related contact details of several officers, including names, email addresses, phone numbers, and in some cases, private information.
An investigation into that earlier breach is still ongoing, with authorities yet to identify the group responsible or explain how the attack happened.
Following previous incidents, the police have strengthened their cybersecurity measures. These include continuous system monitoring for suspicious activity and stricter login requirements, such as more frequent use of two-factor authentication.
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In a separate case earlier this year, Dutch authorities arrested a 40-year-old man accused of attempting to extort the police using confidential documents that had been accidentally shared.
