For many of its analyses, the ANV uses the National Risk Assessment Guidelines. These guidelines describe how the ANV provides insight into the risks to the national security of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The six national security interests take a central place in this approach.

The six national security interests

When one or more of the national security interests are threatened, there may be a disruption of the functioning of society.

The six national security interests

Territorial security

The unimpeded functioning of the Netherlands and its EU European Union (European Union ) and NATO allies as independent states in the widest sense, or their territorial integrity in a narrow sense.

Physical safety

The unimpeded functioning of people in the Netherlands and their surroundings.

Economic security

The unimpeded functioning of the Netherlands as an effective and efficient economy.

Ecological security

The unimpeded continued existence of the natural living environment in and around the Netherlands.

Social and political stability

The unimpeded continued existence of a social climate in which individuals can function without disruption and groups of people enjoy living together within the benefits of the Dutch democratic constitutional system and shared values.

International legal order and stability

The proper functioning of the international system of norms and agreements aimed at promoting international peace and security, including human rights, and effective multilateral institutions and international regimes, as well as the proper functioning of states bordering the Kingdom of the Netherlands and in direct vicinity of the European Union.

Each of the above national security interests can be divided into one or multiple impact criteria. 

 

National security interest

Impact criteria

Territorial security

  1. Violation of the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
  2. Violation of the international position of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
  3. Violation of digital infrastructure integrity
  4. Violation of the territorial integrity of allied states

Physical safety

  1. Fatalities
  2. Seriously injured and chronically ill people
  3. A lack of basic needs (physical suffering)

Economic security

  1. Costs
  2. Violation of the vitality of the Dutch economy

Ecological security

  1. Long-term violation of the natural environment

Social and political stability

  1. Disruption of daily life
  2. Violation of the democratic constitutional system
  3. Societal impact

International legal order and stability

  1. Violation of state sovereignty, peaceful coexistence & peaceful conflict resolution (as codified in the UN United Nations  (United Nations  ) charter)
  2. Violation of the functioning and legitimacy of or adherence to international treaties and norms on human rights
  3. Violation of a rule-based international financial-economic system
  4. Violation of the effectiveness and legitimacy of multilateral institutions and international regimes
  5. Instability of states bordering the Kingdom of the Netherlands and in direct vicinity of the European Union

Starting points for assessing risks

The guidelines not only explain the six national security interests but also provide guidance on how to systematically assess the potential impact of a threat on each of the security interests and accompanying impact criteria. Information on how to assess the probability of a particular threat is also included in the guidelines.