The Dutch Central Bank recommends that families have a sufficient amount of money at home to cover basic needs for at least three days, in case of an emergency.
Although it may seem outdated in a time when Artificial Intelligence has advanced so much, this warning is still very important and serious. The bank emphasizes that a massive cyberattack or a technical disruption in payment systems could leave citizens without the ability to purchase even the most essential products, writes A2.
Preparing for a three-day emergency is a recommended measure, with the Bank suggesting that each family have at least €70 per adult and €30 per child in cash, to cover food, water, medicine and transport costs during a 72-hour emergency period. This is the minimum necessary to ensure survival in such conditions and is linked to the European directive on food safety in times of crisis, which has worried European citizens.
This preparation is a consequence of the increasing risk of cyberattacks, which are being accompanied by geopolitical tensions, which could lead to attacks on critical infrastructure, including banking and electronic payment systems. The Dutch Bank also mentioned the power outages in Spain and Portugal last year, which caused temporary disruptions to electronic payment systems. It was also recommended that merchants offer alternative payment options, such as QR code scanners, to enable payments even if traditional systems are not working.
Similar steps have also been taken in Sweden and Norway. The Swedish Ministry of Defense distributed a leaflet to every household advising people to keep cash on hand and have at least a week's worth of money to prepare for emergencies. The Swedish Central Bank stresses that it is important to strengthen preparedness and ensure that all citizens can pay, including using physical money, even in crisis conditions. (A2 Televizion)
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