Centrum voor Veiligheid en Digitalisering (CVD)

The Center for Security and Digitalisation (CVD) is a knowledge and innovation hub based in The Netherlands which organises education programmes to make complex issues surrounding digitalisation and security accessible for citizens, entrepreneurs, and government bodies. Launched in 2021, the hub is a network organisation which gathers education institutions, businesses, and government bodies. It is the result of collaboration between Saxion University of Applied Sciences, the Police Academy, University of Twente, Municipality of Apeldoorn, ROC Aventus and the Dutch Institute of Public Safety (NIPV). 

Tackling complex issues

At the CVD, students, teachers, researchers and professionals in the field collaborate on building a safe digital future for the Netherlands. Complex issues regarding digital safety are addressed by researchers in collaboration with experts in the field. The findings from this research is then incorporated into its learning programmes, to ensure that the labour force is up to speed with the latest knowledge and skills in cyber security. The main issues tackled by CVD are: 

• Critical data and infrastructure
• Information-driven working and actionable intelligence
• Cybersecurity and cyber resilience

Learning environment

The CVD has structured its knowledge and learning environment into these four programmes:

Education

The CVD knowledge partners offer a wide range of personalised learning programmes focused on digitalisation and safety for anyone interested in the topic – regardless of education level. The goal is to create a continuous learning path for future cybersecurity professionals. The learning programmes highlight the latest insights developed by researchers  and also encourage peer-to-peer learning for teachers.

Lifelong Learning Opportunities (LLO)

Continuous developments in the field of digitalisation and safety requires the learning programmes to continuously be updated with new knowledge and skills. The CVD Lifelong Development (LLO) programme has created a system of learning communities in which experts from companies, knowledge partners, and social institutions collaborate. At the core of the learning communities are short courses focusing on insights from experts. 

In addition, the CVD develops courses in close collaboration with its partners for data-driven organizations, safety regions and municipalities, and SMEs. For example, the Leadership in Digital Transformation courses are being conducted for and with Achmea, Land Registry and the Tax Authorities, and with the National Police, Police Academy and VNG. 

Research

CVD partners collaborate in many different ways to develop knowledge on digitalisation and safety. For example, research groups and professorships carry out short-term research in which students and lecturer-researchers tackle practice-oriented themes. The students are then given the opportunity to take part in traineeships to work on strategic issues. Consortiums are formed where researchers from the knowledge partners work together with practical partners on cyber security issues, information-driven work or critical data and infrastructure. These groups are also involved in the development of LLO programmes and in the development of joint high-quality research laboratories.

Entrepreneurship 

Start-ups and scale-ups are increasingly looking for a place to exchange knowledge and experiences. The CVD’s Startup Lab and an Entrepreneurs House offers a unique opportunity to discuss relevant issues in the field of digital security.