Glossary

ABDO (General Security Requirements for Defence Contracts)

Dutch security standard for companies executing classified contracts for the Ministry of Defence, with requirements for physical and information security.

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ABDO (Algemene Beveiligingseisen voor Defensieopdrachten) is the Dutch security baseline for organizations handling classified information on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. It defines mandatory security measures for both physical and information security.

ABDO compliance is required for any contractor working with classified Dutch defence information and covers aspects like facility security, personnel vetting, encryption requirements, and incident reporting procedures.

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Frequently asked questions

What is ABDO?
ABDO (Algemene Beveiligingseisen voor Defensieopdrachten, or General Security Requirements for Defence Contracts) is the Dutch security standard — current version ABDO 2019 — that companies must meet to handle classified contracts for the Ministry of Defence, overseen by its intelligence service the MIVD.
Who needs to comply with ABDO?
Companies in the Netherlands that carry out classified contracts for the Ministry of Defence must meet ABDO’s physical and information-security requirements.
What does ABDO cover?
ABDO 2019 structures its requirements into four security domains — organisational, personnel, physical and cyber security — covering how classified information is handled.
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