Security of Dutch Embassies Abroad

The security of Dutch embassies is open to improvement. Several missions are threatened and the buildings contain confidential information. Moreover, the staff's security awareness is low and many members of staff in confidential positions have not been properly screened. Some 40% of the embassies satisfy none or only a few of the security standards, such as access control, key management and information security standards. There are also shortcomings in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' supervision. These conclusions are presented in a reported entitled Beveiliging van Nederlandse ambassades in het buitenland (Security of Dutch Embassies Abroad) published by the Court of Audit on 15 June 2005.