At a time when staffing and recruitment are key issues for public services in Ireland, including security services, the state’s cybersecurity hub continues to expand. That’s not to say the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) hasn’t been neglected – and it’s only since 2020 that its future has begun to look more optimistic.
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A review of capabilities was carried out that year and published in July 2021, a few months after the devastating cyberattack on the HSE.
NCSC director Richard Brownesaid that “the capacity review proposed an increase in staff to at least 70 people by the end of 2024.”
“Since July 2021, we have increased from 24-25 to 57 and are allowed to reach 62 this year.“
Positions for the National Computer Security Center (NCSC) were in “over-demand,” reflecting the high interest in these jobs.
Security observers, including Armed Forces experts and commentators, have noted the ability of one of the state's responsibilities to attract qualified personnel – partly due to high salaries – compared to the Armed Forces, where salaries are very low and there is a serious crisis.
It was reported that this year they have prevented 60 cyberattacks in progress, rather than after they occurred. They have also addressed more than 500 cases where there were “active vulnerabilities” in organizations, preventing them from developing into cybersecurity incidents.
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He said a new group formed on September 1, Strategic Risk Management, is working on future technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, quantum cryptography and other emerging technologies. The group, he said, is also working on security and supply chain issues.
The global threats that the NIS 2 Directive aims to address are detailed in the threat report published last month by the European Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA).
The report states that their motivation and planning allow them to carry out “large-scale, advanced, targeted and long-term attacks”, with the aim of remaining “invisible” for as long as possible. The two main countries mentioned are Russia and China, while the activities of Iran and North Korea are also mentioned.
It was reported that state-sponsored cyberattacks are “increasingly targeting” employees in strategic positions, politicians, government officials, journalists, security researchers or activists.
It is reported that attackers can pretend to be recruiters or journalists and use Linkedin to initially communicate, while adding that disinformation related to the Russian war in Ukraine are “high in volume and low in quality”.
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The industries most vulnerable to cyber threats in Ireland are banking and financial services. These industries handle large amounts of money and sensitive personal data, making them frequent targets for attacks. Attacks on banks and financial institutions can have serious consequences for the economy and public confidence.
In addition, technology and software companies are also vulnerable to cyberattacks. These industries hold valuable information and sensitive data that can be a target for cyberattacks. In addition, technology companies face the risk of theft of technological secrets and copyright infringement.
Finally, critical infrastructure, such as energy, transport and telecommunications, is also vulnerable to cyberattacks. The disruption or disruption of critical infrastructure can have serious consequences for the economy and society. Therefore, the protection of critical infrastructure is a priority for Ireland in relation to cybersecurity.
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