The Hague Invests €60 Million in Former Aegon Building to Create Europe's Largest Cybersecurity Hub
The Hague, Friday, 27 February 2026.
The Hague’s city council approved purchasing Aegon’s former headquarters for €60 million to establish House of Cyber, consolidating Netherlands’ cybersecurity operations under one roof. The 40,000 square meter complex will house the National Cyber Security Centre, Ministry of Defence, National Police, and private cybersecurity companies, creating Europe’s most significant digital security cluster. Located strategically near Mariahoeve station, the facility aims to strengthen national digital resilience against state-sponsored attacks and cybercriminals while boosting The Hague’s position as an international security hub employing over 21,000 cybersecurity professionals.
Strategic Acquisition Approved on February 26
The Hague’s municipal council officially approved the conditional purchase of the former Aegon headquarters in Mariahoeve on February 26, 2026 [1]. The €60 million investment encompasses both the acquisition and renovation costs, with the municipality planning to cover these expenses through rental income generated by the facility [1]. The complex spans over 40,000 square meters of office space, making it one of the largest cybersecurity facilities in Europe [1]. Alderman Saskia Bruines for Economic Development emphasized the strategic importance, stating that the establishment of House of Cyber “makes an important contribution to the (digital) resilience of the Netherlands” while stimulating “the growth of The Hague’s cybersecurity cluster” [1].
Multi-Agency Consolidation Creates Security Powerhouse
The House of Cyber will consolidate multiple critical Dutch security organizations under one roof, creating an unprecedented collaboration hub [2]. Key tenants include the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the Ministry of Defence, the National Police, the Dutch Forensic Institute, and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) [2]. Additionally, Security Delta (HSD) and various private cybersecurity companies will occupy the facility [1][2]. Matthijs van Amelsfort, general director of the NCSC, explained the strategic advantage: “By bringing all knowledge and expertise in the field of cybersecurity together in one building, we strengthen each other and thus increase digital resilience” [2]. The complex’s design allows for both secured and unsecured functions, with Buildings A and B designated for cybersecurity organizations and companies, while Building C will house national government agencies and Campus HSD [3].
Economic Impact and Regional Development
The cybersecurity sector in The Hague region already employs over 21,000 people, demonstrating the substantial economic foundation for this initiative [1]. The House of Cyber project represents a significant investment in maintaining and expanding this employment base while attracting international cybersecurity companies to the Netherlands [1][2]. The facility’s location directly adjacent to Mariahoeve station provides excellent connectivity for the anticipated workforce [1][4]. City council member Rachid Guernaoui from Hart voor Den Haag highlighted the broader economic vision, noting that “with The Hague’s House of Cyber, we put The Hague more firmly on the map as an international city of peace, justice and security” [3]. The project also prevents long-term vacancy of the former Aegon building while contributing to the broader renewal of the Mariahoeve area [1].
Timeline and Future Implementation
The NCSC expects the House of Cyber project to be completed within a few years, though specific timelines remain to be finalized as the organization engages with all partners to shape the collaboration [2]. The ministries of Justice and Security and Defence are actively collaborating with The Hague municipality to realize the project [2]. Beyond the immediate cybersecurity focus, the municipality plans to develop an area program around the Aegonplein and Mariahoeve station that may include additional space for housing, economic functions, and social facilities [1]. The project addresses the critical need to defend against “the great variety of digital attacks by state actors, cybercriminals and other malicious actors” as emphasized by NCSC leadership [2]. This consolidation approach represents a fundamental shift in how the Netherlands approaches national cybersecurity infrastructure, moving from distributed operations to a centralized hub model designed to enhance both efficiency and security coordination.