ABOUT SURF
SURF is the collaborative organisation for higher education institutions and research institutes aimed at breakthrough innovations in ICT. SURF provides the foundation for the excellence of higher education and research in the Netherlands.
The joining of forces in SURF has achieved many successes over the past twenty years. Collaboration has resulted in services and products that could not have been achieved by the institutions in isolation. SURF initiatives have an impact through the combination of high-quality knowledge, advantages of scale and a demanding user group.
SURF collaborates with a number of partners abroad to share knowledge and to profit from advantages of scale. The results that SURF achieves are also guiding examples in an international setting.
SURF provides the foundation for the excellence of higher education and research in the Netherlands. But SURF’s impact is wider than just higher education and research. One example is DigiD, the digital authentication system used for government services on the Internet. DigiD is based on SURF’s reliable authentication system, A-Select. The creation of finely-meshed optic networks in a number of cities in the Netherlands is also the result of SURF’s pioneering work. SURF is also a founding member of the Amsterdam Internet Exchange, the most important gateway for international traffic into Europe.
SURF comprises of SURFfoundation, SURFnet and SURFdiensten (SURFservices).
About SURFfoundation
SURFfoundation is the initiator for innovation in higher education and research. SURFfoundation initiates, guides and stimulates ICT innovation through sharing knowledge and partnerships.
SURFnet
SURFnet develops and operates the national SURFnet6 network. It provides innovative services in the areas of security, authentication and authorisation, group communication and video.
SURFdiensten
SURFdiensten is the organisation for licences for higher education and research that facilitates the use of ICT. SURFdiensten offers software, content, ICT services and hardware at unique prices and conditions.