” Tech against Corona” Initiative of Dutch tech companies offers free support

Dutch tech companies provide support to the Dutch government government, aid workers, care providers and hospitals in their fight against Corona (COVID-19).

The ”Tech against Corona” Initiative of Dutch tech companies offers free support in the fight against the corona virus (COVID-19). To this end, an online meeting took place on Wednesday 25 March between various tech companies, civil servants and MPs. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss how these companies can contribute to the fight against the corona virus through their services and products.

The starting point here is that governments, aid workers, care providers and hospitals can make free use of the knowledge, skills and algorithms of these companies, and this has already started. For example, Cybersprint recently investigated fake RIVM websites and COVID-19 malware attacks against hospitals, together with Huib Modderkolk (investigative journalist), and offered to protect these hospitals. In addition, Compumatica will improve the internet connections of home workers with critical professions, and TYMLEZ will model the medical goods ecosystem through a platform that matches supply & demand, with blockchain as the underlying technology. Traxion can help with the rapid addition of large and varying amounts of volunteers to online systems, and KPN and Microsoft are thinking about connecting new technologies to existing systems.

As part of the effort of the Ministry of Defense, the Royal Dutch Army is already fully engaged in providing crisis support in the form of planners, medical workers and specialist equipment (including respiratory equipment). The planners are deployed at both national and regional level. Behind the scenes, there is even more capacity in many forms to be deployed on instructions from administrative and medical authorities, says Colonel van Dalen. The Ministry of Defense plays an important supporting role in the fight against Corona and collaborates extensively with the business community in other areas as well.

The ”Tech against Corona” Initiative already involves more than 10 companies and is an initiative of Public Matters, a public affairs and lobby consultancy. Following a similar idea in the United Kingdom, the goal is to make as many concrete and feasible agreements between governments and tech companies as possible.

Jan Middendorp (Member of Parliament, VVD) “We stay at home to keep each other safe. Technology can help keeping us safe. It is therefore more important than ever in these exceptional times for governments and tech companies to work together.”

Chris van Dam (Member of Parliament, CDA) “It’s fantastic that these companies are willing to assist the government. These smart tech heads are desperately needed right now.”