The sixth-largest municipality in the Netherlands was looking for a new cybersecurity partner. The trigger was the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, the significant increase in digital threats, and the developments surrounding the upcoming NIS2 legislation. Additionally, securing Groningen’s critical infrastructure and processes is a key priority.

To further enhance the organisation’s cybersecurity maturity, the municipality sought a best-of-breed partner that could provide advanced network monitoring, with specialised analysts continuously monitoring traffic. Additionally, the municipality aimed to outsource its Security Operations Centre (SOC) activities and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) services to a specialised provider. The choice fell on mnemonic, thanks to its comprehensive MDR services.

"We look forward to working with our new strategic cybersecurity partner, mnemonic", says Arne Bakker, IT Director at the Municipality of Groningen. "We have great confidence in mnemonic’s specialist knowledge and capacity for innovation. The company applies strict quality criteria for its staff. They have highly engaged experts from whom we can learn a great deal. Additionally, their employee turnover is extremely low, which contributes to continuity and a sustainable partnership. The same experts involved in the implementation will continue working with us in the years to come, which we highly value."

Saskia Gerritsen, Corporate Director at the Municipality of Groningen, adds: "mnemonic’s SOC will truly serve as an extension of our organisation. Their team of 300+ cybersecurity experts has extensive experience in cybersecurity within the Dutch public sector and a strong understanding of the complexity of our infrastructure."

"mnemonic places great emphasis on strategic partnerships, which is a key pillar for us", continues Gerritsen. "Together, we contribute to the municipality’s mission: ‘Making Groningen safer for everyone’. Digital security is a crucial part of this. We are pleased to be taking concrete steps to further strengthen the municipality’s digital resilience and protect our residents."

Anne Karine Hafkamp, Benelux Director at mnemonic, states: "The Municipality of Groningen manages a significant amount of critical infrastructure and processes, such as bridges, locks, and traffic installations. Ensuring the security of these systems is crucial, not just for Groningen, but for the entire Netherlands. mnemonic has extensive experience in securing critical infrastructure and processes, both within government and the private sector, in the Netherlands and across Europe. We look forward to a close collaboration that will contribute to a safer Groningen."

Picture left to right: Saskia Gerritsen, Corporate Director at the Municipality of Groningen & Anne Karine Hafkamp, Benelux Director at mnemonic