Key public and private institutions across the Netherlands have been hit by a wave of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks in recent days, causing widespread access disruptions, according to the country’s National Cyber Security Center (NCSC).
In a statement released this week, the NCSC, which operates under the Ministry of Justice and Security, confirmed that multiple large-scale DDoS attacks have struck Dutch organizations. The agency reported that both national and other European entities have been affected, with attacks targeting governmental bodies, municipalities, and private sector firms.
The cyberattacks were claimed by NoName057(16), a group that has consistently aligned with Russian political aims.
Background of NoName057(16)
The hacktivist group claiming responsibility is NoName057(16), a pro-Russian collective that has previously orchestrated DDoS attacks across Europe and North America. The group announced the campaign via its Telegram channel, stating the Netherlands was being targeted in retaliation for its military support to Ukraine, which includes €6 billion already pledged and an additional €3.5 billion planned for 2026.
NoName057(16) has been active since March 2022 and is known for its aggressive digital campaigns. The group is also behind the DDoSIA platform, a crowdsourced initiative that pays “volunteers” to participate in cyberattacks. This platform rapidly gained traction, recruiting thousands and enabling coordinated strikes against Western targets.
Spanish authorities arrested three individuals associated with DDoSIA in July 2024 and confiscated related equipment. However, the core leadership of NoName057(16) remains at large, and attacks attributed to the group have continued.
Impact of DDoS Attacks
Local media reported that online services in provinces such as Groningen, Noord-Holland, Zeeland, Drenthe, Overijssel, and Noord-Brabant were affected, along with the municipalities of Apeldoorn, Breda, Nijmegen, and Tilburg. Many of these services experienced temporary outages, leaving residents unable to access digital portals for several hours.
Despite the disruption, officials have confirmed there is no evidence that internal systems or sensitive data have been compromised.
Conclusion
As European support for Ukraine continues, allied nations like the Netherlands may increasingly become targets for retaliatory cyber aggression. The NCSC urges vigilance and proactive defense measures as the risk of further disruption remains high.
Source:hxxps[://]www[.]ncsc[.]nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/04/30/lopende-ddos-aanvallen-op-nederlandse-organisaties
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