The Dutch government classifies sensitive state information under three levels collectively referred to as Staatsgeheim (state secret). Vertrouwelijk (Confidential) covers information whose unauthorised disclosure would damage national interests. Geheim (Secret) applies where disclosure would cause serious damage. Zeer Geheim (Top Secret) is reserved for information whose disclosure would cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. These levels are defined under the Voorschrift Informatiebeveiliging Rijksdienst Bijzondere Informatie (VIRBI) and align broadly with NATO and EU classification equivalents.
Access to classified Dutch government information requires a corresponding VGB issued by the AIVD, matched to the level of the material concerned. Defence contractors, government suppliers, and professionals working within Dutch MoD, intelligence, or law-enforcement environments must hold the appropriate clearance level before handling classified material. The classification markings are abbreviated as V (Vertrouwelijk), G (Geheim), and ZG (Zeer Geheim), sometimes prefixed with STG (Staatsgeheim).
Organisations operating under a Facility Security Clearance (Bedrijfsveiligheidsonderzoek, BVO) may handle classified contracts on behalf of the Dutch government. Employees in such organisations are vetted individually, and the level of vetting corresponds to the highest classification they will access during the course of their work.