Building Resilience Through Collaboration – Our Key Takeaways from the NetHope Global Summit 2025
By Michael Attenberger and Simon Dunand, Open Systems
Open Systems joined hundreds of peers, innovators, and change-makers at the NetHope Global Summit 2025 in Amsterdam; a gathering that brings together global leaders to advance the use of technology for social impact.
As representatives of Open Systems, we came to connect with NGOs, technology partners, and funders who are rethinking how secure, scalable connectivity can strengthen humanitarian and development efforts worldwide. We left inspired by one shared conviction: technology has impact only when it meets the real needs of those delivering aid on the ground.
- Security and Trust Are the Cornerstones of Digital Impact
Cybersecurity and digital resilience dominated the discussions.
Humanitarian organizations often work under conditions that are volatile, under-resourced, and exposed to risk. Protecting data, people, and operations while keeping systems accessible is not a luxury: it’s essential.
At Open Systems, we see our role as enabling NGOs to focus on their missions while we safeguard the digital backbone that supports them.
- Collaboration Outperforms Competition
The NetHope community proves that when openness drives innovation, everyone benefits: From cloud adoption to AI-driven field support, the most effective solutions are built together between NGOs, the private sector, and technology providers.
This mindset mirrors how we at Open Systems engage with partners: as collaborators who co-create resilient, secure infrastructures that serve a larger purpose.
- NGOs Have Distinct Digital Realities
Our confirmation from Amsterdam: NGOs are unlike any other customer.
Their missions are global, their resources limited, and their environments unpredictable. Traditional enterprise models simply don’t fit. Success here demands tailored approaches: lightweight solutions that can be deployed anywhere, with built-in security, transparency, and human support.
Recognizing these unique challenges shapes how we design and deliver our managed security and connectivity services: pragmatic, adaptable, and mission-driven.
- Responsible Innovation Is Non-Negotiable
AI and automation were headline topics, but the conversations went beyond technology.
How do we innovate responsibly? How do we ensure inclusion, data ethics, and sustainably guide our decisions?
These are the same questions we ask ourselves at Open Systems as we support organizations navigating rapid change.
- The Context Is More Challenging Than Ever
Budgets have been drastically reduced: in some cases up to 60% in 2025, and expectations continue to rise. NGOs are reinventing themselves under pressure.
A powerful reminder from Juriaan Lahr during the plenary session still echoes:
“A warning delayed is a life endangered.”
We fully share that urgency and support humanitarian missions around the clock to help ensure maximum availability and security.
Looking Ahead
We return from Amsterdam with a clear message: impact begins with secure, resilient connectivity, and continues through collaboration. We’re deeply grateful to everyone who shared insights, challenges, and inspiration during these three days.
If you’re part of an NGO or humanitarian organization seeking to strengthen your digital resilience, connect with us to explore how Open Systems can help you build secure, sustainable, and scalable connectivity for your mission.
How Open Systems Is Empowering NGOs to Stay Connected – Anywhere
Since 2003, Open Systems has partnered with NGOs and UN agencies operating in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Today, more than 10,000 secure systems in over 180 countries rely on us to deliver:
- Always-on security and availability
- AI-assisted operational efficiency
- Expert management that frees overstretched IT resources
With SD-WAN as a Service, we provide an agile, reliable, and secure communication infrastructure – essentially an office-in-a-box – with tightly integrated connectivity and security services, including:
- Next-generation firewall
- Secure web and cloud gateway (with advanced threat protection)
- Network Detection & Response
- Application-level prioritization for critical tools (VoIP, ERP, Office 365, etc.)
- Automatic bandwidth and link optimization (including VSAT)
Our mission is simple: help the helpers. 24/7. 365 days a year.
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