Headlines December
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Medical Spectrum Twente (MST) plagued by new outage, this time a power cut is culprit
Medical Spectrum Twente suffered another outage today at the end of the afternoon, which temporarily put the Enschede hospital ‘on black’. While yesterday the MST was plagued by an overheated server, which caused crucial systems to fail, this afternoon the power supply failed. There was a short circuit in a transformer cabinet of the hospital.
The power cut that literally put hospital departments in the dark for half an hour had no unpleasant consequences, says spokeswoman Ida Gerda Emmens. ‘We were just taking stock and discussing what the operational consequences would be in case of a longer power outage, when the lights came back on. With that, the problem was solved.’
Setting up an emergency procedure for patient care and medical operations proved unnecessary this time. Yesterday it was, when operations had to be cancelled and some polyclinics temporarily closed. However, it proved unnecessary to redirect patients to other hospitals for acute care.
No visits possible
Update 19.40: MST spokeswoman Ida Gerda Emmens reports that all systems have now been put back into operation after the power failure this afternoon. According to her, the hospital is fully operational again as of 8pm. ‘However, visits to patients on the wards will not be possible tonight.’
Source: https://www.oost.nl/nieuws/3013393/mst-geplaagd-door-nieuwe-storing-ditmaal-is-een-stroomonderbreking-boosdoener
Malfunction in server room MST: scheduled operations cancelled
Two days in a row!!
A malfunction in the server room of the Medisch Spectrum Twente (MST) in Enschede caused major disruptions in healthcare provision on Wednesday afternoon. The cooling of the server cabinet failed, causing crucial systems to become unstable or fail completely. The hospital had to activate emergency procedures to mitigate the consequences. According to spokesperson Ilona Baake, the outage had direct consequences for patient care. ‘Due to a malfunction in our server room, several systems did not work or are unstable. This affects patient care,’ Baake said. For example, it was not possible to view or review X-ray images.’
Surgeries halted
The hospital cancelled scheduled surgeries. The doors of some outpatient clinics were also temporarily closed because access to patient records was not possible. Other polyclinics were able to keep running with emergency procedures.
Acute care
Although surrounding hospitals were informed to take over acute care, it proved unnecessary to redirect patients. Care at the clinics and Intensive Care will be provided as usual. Trauma patients could temporarily not be accommodated in MST, but acute care remained available elsewhere. Patients who had scheduled appointments or operations have been personally informed by the hospital.
Fixed
Around 2.30pm, MST reported that the technical fault had been fixed. ‘It is expected to take until the end of the afternoon before all systems are fully operational and stable again,’ Baake said. The hospital is now working hard to fully resume regular care.
Source: https://www.oost.nl/nieuws/3010091/storing-in-serverruimte-mst-geplande-operaties-afgezegd
Missing backup threatens to cost Hallo millions
ICT company Hallo from Alkmaar must pay at least half a million euros in damages to Blok Group from Velsen-Noord, according to the court. After a server crash, the technical service provider (and Hallo customer) turned out to be missing a backup, causing the data from ECI's enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to disappear from July 2022. As a result, the company was unable to function properly for weeks. The Blok Group offers services such as machining, industrial repair, maintenance, assembly, engineering, prototyping, production, 3D printing and project management. The company has been working with IT Support Groep as a partner for the delivery of IT services since the end of 2017, including daily backup control. This company was acquired by Hallo at the beginning of 2023. Blok Group pays approximately one hundred and fifty thousand euros annually for these services.
The technical service provider uses Bemet from ECI Solutions as its ERP system. In June 2022, Blok and Hallo entered into an agreement for an upgrade of the server on which Bemet runs, because the new version of the ERP system required more space. Hallo supplied the new server, while ECI carried out the migration.
Crash
Blok received a detailed report of the (maintenance) checks every quarter. The most recent report dates from July 2024, which stated that the system, including the backup and restore functions, was functioning properly. However, Blok was unable to access Bemet at the beginning of October. An analysis showed that several servers had crashed. Hallo replaced these servers so that backups could be placed on them. During the replacement, it became clear that no backup had been made of the new server purchased in June 2022 since July 2022. The data lost due to the crash could therefore not be recovered.
According to Blok, the business operations and production process have come to a standstill since the crash on October 2, 2024. As a result, the company has suffered serious damage. As a result of the crash, there is no insight into current inventory levels and orders, which has led to a shortage of inventory. This has disrupted production planning and the supply chain has come to a standstill.
No backup service
Hallo argues in defense that the parties initially agreed that backups would be made of ten of Blok's sixteen servers and that Blok did not request that the new server, on which the ERP system runs, be included in this backup service. Furthermore, the IT company believes that Blok is responsible for ensuring that backups are performed. It would have been obvious if Blok had arranged this with ECI (as application manager) for this server. Hallo therefore claims not to have failed in its obligations. However, the company did make a proposal for an amicable settlement arrangement for approximately one hundred and fifty thousand euros (one time the annual fee, referring to the ICT conditions), minus the costs already incurred by Hallo.
Human error
Blok did not accept the proposal and went to court. The court ruled in favor of the company from Velsen-Noord. According to the interim relief judge, the agreement between the two parties cannot be interpreted in any other way than that making backups of the new server and checking backups fell under Hallo's responsibility. 'It is essential for Blok's business operations that there is a recent, re-installable backup available for situations such as after a crash. Hallo has indicated in its maintenance reports every quarter that all servers and backups were functioning properly. Furthermore, the reports explicitly stated that extra attention had been paid to the new server on which the ERP system was running. Hallo gave Blok the impression that everything was well organized, which meant that there was no reason for Blok to take further measures. It is a fact that Hallo is familiar with Blok's business operations - partly due to the many visits by Hallo employees to Blok's branches - and Blok's interest in a properly functioning ERP system. This system is crucial for Blok's functioning; if that system were to fail, business operations would virtually come to a standstill. The damage is then enormous. It was precisely to prevent that risk that Blok called in Hallo and paid a lot for his services,' the judge wrote.
The fact that the backup went wrong was due to human error, according to the ruling. After replacing the server, Hallo mistakenly continued to make backups of the old server for a year, which had not been physically removed but no longer had a function. The new server was never included in the automated backup service.
Substantive proceedings
According to the judge, Hallo has seriously failed in its obligations. The company must pay Blok an amount of 368,861.73, plus 5,308 euros for each day from 25 October 2024 to 19 November 2024 (both to be increased by the statutory interest). This concerns an advance payment as an advance on the damages that must be determined in a substantive procedure that has yet to be started. That amount could run into millions.
Hallo has not yet responded to the question of whether it will appeal the ruling .
ProRail violates safety regulations and piles up fines: 'It's beyond belief'
No other company in the region violates safety regulations as often as rail manager ProRail, is the harsh verdict of environmental service DCMR. The rail company has already paid 2.2 million euros in fines. The years of problems on the port track are driving freight transport onto the road.
The problems at ProRail range from non-functioning fire extinguishing facilities and blocked emergency routes to poor lighting and fire-hazardous weeds. "The consequences are serious. For example, the Pernis yard was closed to hazardous substances for six months earlier this year due to leaking fire extinguishing systems. The same thing happened earlier at the Botlek and Waalhaven-Zuid marshalling yards. "If you chase transport off the track, it ends up on already busy roads," says Hans-Willem Vroon of the RailGood business organization. "That is bad for safety and the environment."
Numerous violations
ProRail has been under increased supervision since 2017. Despite promises of improvement, improvements failed to materialise. "ProRail takes the problems seriously, but 'when push comes to shove' too little changes," said René Kuijper of DCMR earlier this year. Thanks to temporary shunting stops for hazardous substances and extra supervision, fortunately no incidents have occurred and acute risks have been prevented so far.
Violations at Rotterdam rail yards recorded by DCMR:
Change of mentality
The situation requires a change in mentality, Kuijper emphasized. "Take weeds. Let them grow and you run the risk of fire from a spark from a passing train. If you transport hazardous substances there, that could be the start of an incident."
According to DCMR, Prorail is finally making a move in the right direction because the greenery is being better maintained. The teething problems with the new fire extinguishing systems also seem to have been solved because DCMR has not recorded any more malfunctions after the summer.
Carriers complain about the high rates charged by ProRail for using the track for freight transport. "You pay a premium for service, but you don't get it," says Vroon. The situation in Rotterdam is complicated by stricter safety standards than at other marshalling yards in the Netherlands, and in comparison with Belgium and Germany. That makes it extra difficult for ProRail to meet all the requirements.
Green transport by rail
Rotterdam alderman Chantal Zeegers acknowledges the problems and emphasizes that strict supervision alone is not enough. She gave her response in response to questions from opposition party SP, which is concerned about the safety of residents living near the railway yards.
Zeegers says she wants to enforce structural improvements together with the ministry and the port authority. According to her, safe yards are necessary for the energy transition and an increase in 'green' rail transport. Intensive inspections will therefore remain necessary until Prorail has fully arranged safety.
Vroon also points to the potential of rail transport. "It is crazy that containers with chemical substances travel a thousand kilometres by road, while it can be done more safely and with 70% less CO2 by train. But then it has to be available, reliable, affordable and always safe."
Response from rail infrastructure manager Prorail:
Prorail is not out to impose fines. Quite the contrary, a spokesperson says. The rail infrastructure manager also believes that improvements are needed and that safety regulations must be better observed. This is an "immense challenge" because the five yards in the port area are struggling with overdue maintenance. 150 million euros have been invested in fire extinguishing facilities and work is currently being done on better lighting. Prorail also acknowledges that a change in behaviour is needed among users of the port railway.
Prorail hopes to eliminate the maintenance backlog in the coming years, but a shortage of staff makes this a difficult task. Prorail does expect the number of malfunctions and fines to decrease. Prorail is building a new yard on the Maasvlakte and is busy adapting the current track so that long freight trains of more than 700 meters can use it. The expectation is that rail freight transport will increase by 50 percent.
Source: https://www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/1936008/prorail-overtreedt-veiligheidsregels-en-stapelt-boete-op-boete-het-is-te-zot-voor-woorden
Almelo civil servants click en masse on phishing link: "31% also entered login details"
Painful conclusions in a study that the municipality of Almelo had done on the security of information. Civil servants do not know how to protect confidential data and there is no policy to change this. A typical example is an email phishing test, in which 40 percent of the employees clicked on a link and 31 percent also entered email login details.
The research was conducted by research agency Hoffmann, commissioned by the audit office of the municipality of Almelo. The emphasis was on the human side of information security. In other words: what is the level of awareness and knowledge of information security among employees?
Too little attention for
Main conclusion: there has been too little attention for a long time. The municipality has little to no policy to improve the information security culture. Remarkable, because it also emerges that the entire municipal organization and the municipal government see the theme as an important subject.
Phishing is a form of online fraud. You receive fake messages that look like they are from a bank, store or friend. The goal is to get you to click on a link or fill in data to steal personal information or money.
Practical tests and interviews show that employees often do not know what is expected of them to keep information safe. The result of the phishing test, in which 31 percent enter login details, is 'a relatively high result'. Moreover, only 1.8 percent reported the email. Almelo has major steps to take, the report states. The first step is to teach basic knowledge, a process that is currently underway. In addition, managers must ensure a culture change and impress upon everyone the importance of good information security. The audit office is independent of the municipal council and the board of mayor and aldermen. It decides for itself what it investigates. The audit office has no opinion of its own but advises on what can be improved.
Source: https://www.oost.nl/nieuws/3164216/ambtenaren-almelo-klikken-massaal-op-phishinglink-31-voerde-ook-inloggegevens-in
Ten-year electricity waiting list for North Holland companies
Companies in large parts of North Holland run the risk of being on the waiting list for a (heavier) connection to the electricity grid for at least another ten years. This was announced this morning by grid operators Tennet and Liander. As a result, new companies cannot be connected and existing companies are often unable to become more sustainable. The problems on the overcrowded electricity grid are now so great that the grid operators fear that the electricity grid will be overloaded in 2026. This means that there is more demand than supply of electricity. This can cause power outages that affect companies and households.
The power grid is overcrowded, how is that possible?
The problems have three causes. Expansion of the number of companies and homes leads to more electricity consumption. In addition, there are many companies that still use gas, but want to become more sustainable. That means they have to switch to electricity. Furthermore, households are increasingly using electricity instead of gas. This is due to the use of heat pumps, electric cooking and charging electric cars.
Avoid peak hours
The electricity grid is not always busy. Just like on the highway, there are quiet moments and peak times. In the morning when everyone wakes up, it is busy, as well as at the end of the afternoon when everyone comes home and turns on all kinds of electricity-consuming devices. Companies also do not use the same amount of electricity at all times of the day. The grid operators are therefore trying to solve the problem with 'peak avoidance'. Companies and households are asked to use less or no electricity at busy times. This means, for example, not charging electric cars between 16:00 and 21:00. But an appeal to companies that use a lot of electricity to come up with plans to avoid peak hours has yielded little.
Don't get off the gas
Tennet is calling on companies in the Kop van Noord-Holland not toe switch off gas for the time being. This includes greenhouses with combined heat and power plants that also regularly assist in the production of electricity at the request of grid operators. When these greenhouses switch to using geothermal energy, for example, this backup will be lost and there will be less electricity production. The province and the grid operators are aware of the social consequences of the lack of capacity on the electricity grid. An action plan is still to come to combat the most serious consequences of grid congestion in the province. But for now, ten-year waiting lists for companies seem to be the reality in North Holland.
Source: https://nos.nl/artikel/2548886-wachtlijst-voor-elektriciteit-van-tien-jaar-voor-bedrijven-noord-holland
Medical Spectrum Twente suffered another outage today at the end of the afternoon, which temporarily put the Enschede hospital ‘on black’. While yesterday the MST was plagued by an overheated server, which caused crucial systems to fail, this afternoon the power supply failed. There was a short circuit in a transformer cabinet of the hospital.
The power cut that literally put hospital departments in the dark for half an hour had no unpleasant consequences, says spokeswoman Ida Gerda Emmens. ‘We were just taking stock and discussing what the operational consequences would be in case of a longer power outage, when the lights came back on. With that, the problem was solved.’
Setting up an emergency procedure for patient care and medical operations proved unnecessary this time. Yesterday it was, when operations had to be cancelled and some polyclinics temporarily closed. However, it proved unnecessary to redirect patients to other hospitals for acute care.
No visits possible
Update 19.40: MST spokeswoman Ida Gerda Emmens reports that all systems have now been put back into operation after the power failure this afternoon. According to her, the hospital is fully operational again as of 8pm. ‘However, visits to patients on the wards will not be possible tonight.’
Source: https://www.oost.nl/nieuws/3013393/mst-geplaagd-door-nieuwe-storing-ditmaal-is-een-stroomonderbreking-boosdoener
Malfunction in server room MST: scheduled operations cancelled
Two days in a row!!
A malfunction in the server room of the Medisch Spectrum Twente (MST) in Enschede caused major disruptions in healthcare provision on Wednesday afternoon. The cooling of the server cabinet failed, causing crucial systems to become unstable or fail completely. The hospital had to activate emergency procedures to mitigate the consequences. According to spokesperson Ilona Baake, the outage had direct consequences for patient care. ‘Due to a malfunction in our server room, several systems did not work or are unstable. This affects patient care,’ Baake said. For example, it was not possible to view or review X-ray images.’
Surgeries halted
The hospital cancelled scheduled surgeries. The doors of some outpatient clinics were also temporarily closed because access to patient records was not possible. Other polyclinics were able to keep running with emergency procedures.
Acute care
Although surrounding hospitals were informed to take over acute care, it proved unnecessary to redirect patients. Care at the clinics and Intensive Care will be provided as usual. Trauma patients could temporarily not be accommodated in MST, but acute care remained available elsewhere. Patients who had scheduled appointments or operations have been personally informed by the hospital.
Fixed
Around 2.30pm, MST reported that the technical fault had been fixed. ‘It is expected to take until the end of the afternoon before all systems are fully operational and stable again,’ Baake said. The hospital is now working hard to fully resume regular care.
Source: https://www.oost.nl/nieuws/3010091/storing-in-serverruimte-mst-geplande-operaties-afgezegd
Missing backup threatens to cost Hallo millions
ICT company Hallo from Alkmaar must pay at least half a million euros in damages to Blok Group from Velsen-Noord, according to the court. After a server crash, the technical service provider (and Hallo customer) turned out to be missing a backup, causing the data from ECI's enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to disappear from July 2022. As a result, the company was unable to function properly for weeks. The Blok Group offers services such as machining, industrial repair, maintenance, assembly, engineering, prototyping, production, 3D printing and project management. The company has been working with IT Support Groep as a partner for the delivery of IT services since the end of 2017, including daily backup control. This company was acquired by Hallo at the beginning of 2023. Blok Group pays approximately one hundred and fifty thousand euros annually for these services.
The technical service provider uses Bemet from ECI Solutions as its ERP system. In June 2022, Blok and Hallo entered into an agreement for an upgrade of the server on which Bemet runs, because the new version of the ERP system required more space. Hallo supplied the new server, while ECI carried out the migration.
Crash
Blok received a detailed report of the (maintenance) checks every quarter. The most recent report dates from July 2024, which stated that the system, including the backup and restore functions, was functioning properly. However, Blok was unable to access Bemet at the beginning of October. An analysis showed that several servers had crashed. Hallo replaced these servers so that backups could be placed on them. During the replacement, it became clear that no backup had been made of the new server purchased in June 2022 since July 2022. The data lost due to the crash could therefore not be recovered.
According to Blok, the business operations and production process have come to a standstill since the crash on October 2, 2024. As a result, the company has suffered serious damage. As a result of the crash, there is no insight into current inventory levels and orders, which has led to a shortage of inventory. This has disrupted production planning and the supply chain has come to a standstill.
No backup service
Hallo argues in defense that the parties initially agreed that backups would be made of ten of Blok's sixteen servers and that Blok did not request that the new server, on which the ERP system runs, be included in this backup service. Furthermore, the IT company believes that Blok is responsible for ensuring that backups are performed. It would have been obvious if Blok had arranged this with ECI (as application manager) for this server. Hallo therefore claims not to have failed in its obligations. However, the company did make a proposal for an amicable settlement arrangement for approximately one hundred and fifty thousand euros (one time the annual fee, referring to the ICT conditions), minus the costs already incurred by Hallo.
Human error
Blok did not accept the proposal and went to court. The court ruled in favor of the company from Velsen-Noord. According to the interim relief judge, the agreement between the two parties cannot be interpreted in any other way than that making backups of the new server and checking backups fell under Hallo's responsibility. 'It is essential for Blok's business operations that there is a recent, re-installable backup available for situations such as after a crash. Hallo has indicated in its maintenance reports every quarter that all servers and backups were functioning properly. Furthermore, the reports explicitly stated that extra attention had been paid to the new server on which the ERP system was running. Hallo gave Blok the impression that everything was well organized, which meant that there was no reason for Blok to take further measures. It is a fact that Hallo is familiar with Blok's business operations - partly due to the many visits by Hallo employees to Blok's branches - and Blok's interest in a properly functioning ERP system. This system is crucial for Blok's functioning; if that system were to fail, business operations would virtually come to a standstill. The damage is then enormous. It was precisely to prevent that risk that Blok called in Hallo and paid a lot for his services,' the judge wrote.
The fact that the backup went wrong was due to human error, according to the ruling. After replacing the server, Hallo mistakenly continued to make backups of the old server for a year, which had not been physically removed but no longer had a function. The new server was never included in the automated backup service.
Substantive proceedings
According to the judge, Hallo has seriously failed in its obligations. The company must pay Blok an amount of 368,861.73, plus 5,308 euros for each day from 25 October 2024 to 19 November 2024 (both to be increased by the statutory interest). This concerns an advance payment as an advance on the damages that must be determined in a substantive procedure that has yet to be started. That amount could run into millions.
Hallo has not yet responded to the question of whether it will appeal the ruling .
ProRail violates safety regulations and piles up fines: 'It's beyond belief'
No other company in the region violates safety regulations as often as rail manager ProRail, is the harsh verdict of environmental service DCMR. The rail company has already paid 2.2 million euros in fines. The years of problems on the port track are driving freight transport onto the road.
The problems at ProRail range from non-functioning fire extinguishing facilities and blocked emergency routes to poor lighting and fire-hazardous weeds. "The consequences are serious. For example, the Pernis yard was closed to hazardous substances for six months earlier this year due to leaking fire extinguishing systems. The same thing happened earlier at the Botlek and Waalhaven-Zuid marshalling yards. "If you chase transport off the track, it ends up on already busy roads," says Hans-Willem Vroon of the RailGood business organization. "That is bad for safety and the environment."
Numerous violations
ProRail has been under increased supervision since 2017. Despite promises of improvement, improvements failed to materialise. "ProRail takes the problems seriously, but 'when push comes to shove' too little changes," said René Kuijper of DCMR earlier this year. Thanks to temporary shunting stops for hazardous substances and extra supervision, fortunately no incidents have occurred and acute risks have been prevented so far.
Violations at Rotterdam rail yards recorded by DCMR:
- Extinguishing facilities not working or inaccessible
- Emergency roads blocked, firefighters cannot get through
- Poor lighting makes working in the dark difficult
- Access gates are open, unauthorised persons can enter
- Weeds and grass not properly maintained, risk of fire
- Sleepers not properly stored, risk of contamination
Change of mentality
The situation requires a change in mentality, Kuijper emphasized. "Take weeds. Let them grow and you run the risk of fire from a spark from a passing train. If you transport hazardous substances there, that could be the start of an incident."
According to DCMR, Prorail is finally making a move in the right direction because the greenery is being better maintained. The teething problems with the new fire extinguishing systems also seem to have been solved because DCMR has not recorded any more malfunctions after the summer.
Carriers complain about the high rates charged by ProRail for using the track for freight transport. "You pay a premium for service, but you don't get it," says Vroon. The situation in Rotterdam is complicated by stricter safety standards than at other marshalling yards in the Netherlands, and in comparison with Belgium and Germany. That makes it extra difficult for ProRail to meet all the requirements.
Green transport by rail
Rotterdam alderman Chantal Zeegers acknowledges the problems and emphasizes that strict supervision alone is not enough. She gave her response in response to questions from opposition party SP, which is concerned about the safety of residents living near the railway yards.
Zeegers says she wants to enforce structural improvements together with the ministry and the port authority. According to her, safe yards are necessary for the energy transition and an increase in 'green' rail transport. Intensive inspections will therefore remain necessary until Prorail has fully arranged safety.
Vroon also points to the potential of rail transport. "It is crazy that containers with chemical substances travel a thousand kilometres by road, while it can be done more safely and with 70% less CO2 by train. But then it has to be available, reliable, affordable and always safe."
Response from rail infrastructure manager Prorail:
Prorail is not out to impose fines. Quite the contrary, a spokesperson says. The rail infrastructure manager also believes that improvements are needed and that safety regulations must be better observed. This is an "immense challenge" because the five yards in the port area are struggling with overdue maintenance. 150 million euros have been invested in fire extinguishing facilities and work is currently being done on better lighting. Prorail also acknowledges that a change in behaviour is needed among users of the port railway.
Prorail hopes to eliminate the maintenance backlog in the coming years, but a shortage of staff makes this a difficult task. Prorail does expect the number of malfunctions and fines to decrease. Prorail is building a new yard on the Maasvlakte and is busy adapting the current track so that long freight trains of more than 700 meters can use it. The expectation is that rail freight transport will increase by 50 percent.
Source: https://www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/1936008/prorail-overtreedt-veiligheidsregels-en-stapelt-boete-op-boete-het-is-te-zot-voor-woorden
Almelo civil servants click en masse on phishing link: "31% also entered login details"
Painful conclusions in a study that the municipality of Almelo had done on the security of information. Civil servants do not know how to protect confidential data and there is no policy to change this. A typical example is an email phishing test, in which 40 percent of the employees clicked on a link and 31 percent also entered email login details.
The research was conducted by research agency Hoffmann, commissioned by the audit office of the municipality of Almelo. The emphasis was on the human side of information security. In other words: what is the level of awareness and knowledge of information security among employees?
Too little attention for
Main conclusion: there has been too little attention for a long time. The municipality has little to no policy to improve the information security culture. Remarkable, because it also emerges that the entire municipal organization and the municipal government see the theme as an important subject.
Phishing is a form of online fraud. You receive fake messages that look like they are from a bank, store or friend. The goal is to get you to click on a link or fill in data to steal personal information or money.
Practical tests and interviews show that employees often do not know what is expected of them to keep information safe. The result of the phishing test, in which 31 percent enter login details, is 'a relatively high result'. Moreover, only 1.8 percent reported the email. Almelo has major steps to take, the report states. The first step is to teach basic knowledge, a process that is currently underway. In addition, managers must ensure a culture change and impress upon everyone the importance of good information security. The audit office is independent of the municipal council and the board of mayor and aldermen. It decides for itself what it investigates. The audit office has no opinion of its own but advises on what can be improved.
Source: https://www.oost.nl/nieuws/3164216/ambtenaren-almelo-klikken-massaal-op-phishinglink-31-voerde-ook-inloggegevens-in
Ten-year electricity waiting list for North Holland companies
Companies in large parts of North Holland run the risk of being on the waiting list for a (heavier) connection to the electricity grid for at least another ten years. This was announced this morning by grid operators Tennet and Liander. As a result, new companies cannot be connected and existing companies are often unable to become more sustainable. The problems on the overcrowded electricity grid are now so great that the grid operators fear that the electricity grid will be overloaded in 2026. This means that there is more demand than supply of electricity. This can cause power outages that affect companies and households.
The power grid is overcrowded, how is that possible?
The problems have three causes. Expansion of the number of companies and homes leads to more electricity consumption. In addition, there are many companies that still use gas, but want to become more sustainable. That means they have to switch to electricity. Furthermore, households are increasingly using electricity instead of gas. This is due to the use of heat pumps, electric cooking and charging electric cars.
Avoid peak hours
The electricity grid is not always busy. Just like on the highway, there are quiet moments and peak times. In the morning when everyone wakes up, it is busy, as well as at the end of the afternoon when everyone comes home and turns on all kinds of electricity-consuming devices. Companies also do not use the same amount of electricity at all times of the day. The grid operators are therefore trying to solve the problem with 'peak avoidance'. Companies and households are asked to use less or no electricity at busy times. This means, for example, not charging electric cars between 16:00 and 21:00. But an appeal to companies that use a lot of electricity to come up with plans to avoid peak hours has yielded little.
Don't get off the gas
Tennet is calling on companies in the Kop van Noord-Holland not toe switch off gas for the time being. This includes greenhouses with combined heat and power plants that also regularly assist in the production of electricity at the request of grid operators. When these greenhouses switch to using geothermal energy, for example, this backup will be lost and there will be less electricity production. The province and the grid operators are aware of the social consequences of the lack of capacity on the electricity grid. An action plan is still to come to combat the most serious consequences of grid congestion in the province. But for now, ten-year waiting lists for companies seem to be the reality in North Holland.
Source: https://nos.nl/artikel/2548886-wachtlijst-voor-elektriciteit-van-tien-jaar-voor-bedrijven-noord-holland
Translated from Dutch to English with Google translate