Dutch Traffic Cameras Go Dark After Major Cyberattack
Several automated traffic enforcement cameras in the Netherlands were temporarily taken out of service following a July incident. As confirmed by the Dutch Openbaar Ministerie (OM)—the national public prosecutor’s office—the shutdown affected not only stationary units but also average speed control sections and mobile systems deployed along highways. The disruption stemmed from a large-scale cyber incident that forced OM to immediately disconnect all of its IT systems from the internet.
The cameras themselves were not directly compromised and continued operating autonomously. However, the central servers—responsible for receiving, processing, and issuing fines—became inaccessible due to the enforced isolation of OM’s infrastructure. This also made it impossible to reactivate previously disabled cameras, even when the suspension had been scheduled for routine reasons such as maintenance, calibration, or relocation.
A representative of the Central Bureau for the Processing of Infractions noted that temporarily disabling certain cameras is a routine occurrence, typically related to equipment adjustments or servicing. Yet under current circumstances, OM has refrained from reconnecting any devices to internal systems. Beyond the technical limitations, the agency is unwilling to risk further exposure following the recent breach.
The number of affected enforcement systems was not disclosed, but the scope is described as significant, far exceeding just a handful of cameras. The exact scale of the shutdown remains unclear, as does the timeline for restoring full functionality.
Recovery of OM’s infrastructure has been proceeding gradually since the July attack. Officials report that teams have been working around the clock, bringing individual services back online step by step. For example, email services have already been restored, but other IT systems—including the platform managing road enforcement cameras—remain offline. According to Hans Munen, OM’s head of IT, the consequences of the attack were extensive, and the entire team has been operating in a state of full readiness since July.
The cyberattack is regarded as one of the most serious incidents of its kind in the Netherlands in recent years, with effects reaching well beyond OM’s IT department. Other government bodies, particularly those engaged in law enforcement and traffic control, have also felt the impact. Dutch authorities are now proceeding with utmost caution to avoid any possibility of renewed compromise to their infrastructure.
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