Dublin-based Catalyst (formerly known as i3PT), a leading global provider of software and professional services to the construction and real estate industries, today announced the creation of 100 new jobs across its European operations. 50% of the new jobs will be based in Ireland
With this expansion, Catalyst is committed to delivering cutting-edge services and fostering international growth in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain. Furthermore, Catalyst has plans to establish additional locations in the United States for its obi®️ software business.
The creation of these new positions comes in response to Catalyst’s strong growth and increasing demand for its industry-leading services. The company’s expertise in ESG, technical advisory services and digital technologies has positioned Catalyst as a trusted partner for some of the world’s largest companies and real estate investors. The 100 new jobs will principally be distributed across Catalyst’s European offices, with significant employment opportunities arising across Ireland, London, Edinburgh, Milan, and Barcelona, amongst other new locations. These roles will span various departments, including engineering, software development, marketing, and sales.
Eoin Leonard, CEO of Catalyst, expressed his gratitude to Enterprise Ireland for their unwavering support and invaluable assistance in the company’s expansion. Leonard stated, “We are thrilled to announce the creation of 100 new jobs across our business. This expansion reflects our continued growth and the increasing demand for services and software. We want to extend our deep appreciation to Enterprise Ireland for their ongoing support, guidance, and assistance in our journey to develop a thriving international business.”.
Jenny Melia, Executive Director at Enterprise Ireland said: “Catalyst is a great example of an Irish company that has gone from strength-to-strength, growing both at home and internationally.Today’s announcement of 100 new jobs at Catalyst is testament to the ambition and capabilities of the team. At Enterprise Ireland, we are committed to supporting Irish companies to compete and win in international markets, and we look forward to continuing to support Eoin and the team on their growth trajectory.” Catalyst’s expansion marks an exciting milestone in the company’s journey towards becoming a global leader in the real estate and construction sectors. As regulatory shifts drive change towards better practices, Catalyst aims to assist its clients in creating a greener, safer built environment.
Few games possess the power to captivate the hearts of players decade after decade. Among these are the timeless classics, Solitaire and Mahjong. Providing a blend of strategy and tradition, these games offer deeply satisfying experiences that have endured the ever-changing gaming landscape. One place where you can enjoy these classics is at Subgame, a popular online platform that offers an array of games, including an addictive version of Solitaire. Let’s delve deeper into the allure of these two globally loved games and explore the reasons behind their continued popularity.
Solitaire: A Testament to Timeless Strategy and Chance
Regardless of whether you know it as Patience, Klondike, or simply Solitaire, this card game has made an indelible mark in the realm of entertainment across the globe. Tracing its roots back to the royal courts of France and now permeating the screens of digital devices worldwide, Solitaire’s allure is as potent today as ever.
Solitaire presents players with a unique blend of strategy and luck, a compelling mix that ensures no two games are alike. The objective is deceptively simple – arrange all cards in ascending order by suit. However, this task is anything but straightforward. Each move can greatly influence the next, turning Solitaire into a mind-stimulating puzzle that enhances problem-solving skills.
The rise of digital platforms has also ushered in a new era for this classic game. Today’s players can enjoy Solitaire in a variety of forms, from its original version to popular variants such as Spider Solitaire, FreeCell Solitaire, and Pyramid Solitaire. These versions add a fresh spin to the traditional gameplay, ensuring Solitaire continues to engage and entertain audiences worldwide.
Mahjong: A Beautiful Blend of Eastern Tradition and Western Adaptation
Mahjong, hailing originally from the heart of China, is a mesmerizing game that has etched its place in the heart of players worldwide. Comprising a set of 144 tiles intricately adorned with a variety of symbols and designs, Mahjong is more than just a game; it’s a captivating blend of strategy, skill, and a sprinkle of luck.
In Mahjong, the player’s objective is to form specific combinations with these elegant tiles, much like poker. Though initially complex to the untrained eye, the charm of Mahjong lies in mastering these intricate strategies and memorizing the multitude of tile combinations.
As the years have rolled by, Mahjong has traveled far beyond its cultural and geographical origins. Western adaptations of this game, such as the popular Mahjong Solitaire, have resonated with a global audience. In today’s digital age, players can enjoy both traditional and modern adaptations of Mahjong, transforming this strategic tile game into an engaging pastime that is embraced by players of all skill levels across the globe.
Final Reflections: The Timeless Charm of Solitaire and Mahjong
While trends in gaming come and go, the charm of classics like Solitaire and Mahjong is perennial. They embody the perfect blend of tradition and innovation, all while providing a stimulating and entertaining gaming experience. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newbie, games like Solitaire and Mahjong offer an inviting challenge that can be enjoyed time and time again. After all, that’s what makes a game truly timeless!
Dr Glaire Anderson, of Edinburgh College of Art, worked with game developers Ubisoft on Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the upcoming instalment in the Assassin’s Creed® franchise launching worldwide on October 12, 2023, which follows the early years of protagonist Basim Ibn Is’haq in the capital of the medieval Abbasid caliphate.
Dr Anderson provided expertise on medieval Islamic history, art, architecture, archaeology and civilisation to Ubisoft’s in-house history team, and contributed to a new educational feature, ‘History of Baghdad’, which offers players an interactive way to learn more about the game’s rich setting.
Stéphane Boudon, Creative Director for Assassin’s Creed Mirage at Ubisoft Bordeaux, said:
“The ‘History of Baghdad’ is our new historical codex feature – information that players can find in the world, telling them about the culture, tradition and daily life of 9th century Baghdad.
“In addition to providing intensive seminars on medieval Islamic Art to the Ubisoft in-house history team, Glaire and her students contributed directly to this feature, reviewing texts written by our in-house historian Raphaël Weyland, and suggesting illustrations from museum collections.”
Players can discover a total of sixty-six historical sites throughout the in-game world of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, each serving as a portal to insights about the era, divided into five categories: Art & Science; Beliefs and Daily Life; Court Life; Economy; and Government.
Dr Anderson was one of four key advisors on the development of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, alongside Dr Vanessa Van Renterghem, specialist of Abbasid Baghdad; Dr Ali Olomi, Scholar of Islamic History; and Dr Raphaël Weyland, expert of Islamic history. Museums contributing to the History of Baghdad feature include The David Collection, the Institut du monde arabe, The Khalili Collections, and Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design.
Dr Anderson, who specialises in the history of medieval Islamic art and architecture, originally began using video game engines during her research, to visualise historic environments and architecture. She said:
“I showed my work to my son, who was about 11 at the time, and he said, ‘Oh mom, if you’re interested in that kind of stuff you should check out Assassin’s Creed!’ I did, and I loved how they were visualising medieval Islamic monuments and urban environments. Then, when I learned they were engaging with museums and academics to enhance the educational aspects of their games, I reached out to Ubisoft’s head of world-building, historian Maxime Durand.
“The University’s commercialisation service, Edinburgh Innovations, helped me formalise the relationship.
“The impact on my work has been dramatic. Collaborating with Ubisoft has allowed me to bring my work out of the university and share it with a broader audience of people of all ages who play video games. I respect what Ubisoft have achieved and how they are helping people engage with history.”
She worked with two postgraduate researchers as part of the University of Edinburgh’s Digital Lab for Islamic Visual Culture & Collections, and was supported by grants from the Economic and Social Research Council and the Barakat Trust.
Dr Anderson added:
“I’ve taught approximately three or four thousand university students in the US and the UK about the architecture, art, and history of the caliphal period over the course of my career. That’s ordinary impact. Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed games have introduced millions of players of all ages around the globe to medieval Islamic art, architecture, and history. That’s extraordinary impact.”
Thierry Noël, Head of Ubisoft’s Humanities & Inspiration Department, said: “Assassin’s Creed always strives to be a gateway for players to discover more about the fascinating historical setting and eras it explores.
“With information curated by experts, “History of Baghdad” offers a research-based perspective over 9th century Baghdad and the Abbasid Empire, tackling pre-conceptions and clichés often associated with them. Our collaboration with esteemed partners and experts to bring this feature to life in Assassin’s Creed Mirage further highlights the commitment to authenticity and accuracy that is a hallmark of the series.”
Application programming interfaces (APIs) have become the backbone of modern software development, enabling different applications to communicate and share data efficiently. In fact, the global application programming interface management market is experiencing rapid growth and is projected to reach a staggering value of $8.41 billion by 2027, recording a remarkable CAGR of 34% during the forecast period. This staggering growth reflects the growing recognition of the importance of API intelligence in today’s digital landscape.
As APIs continue to proliferate and become more complex, it’s crucial for businesses and developers to harness the power of API intelligence. In this post, we’ll explore what API intelligence is, its significance, and how it can benefit businesses and developers in today’s digital landscape.
Understanding APIs
To grasp the concept of API intelligence, we must first understand what APIs are.
APIs facilitate communication between different software applications by defining sets of rules and protocols. They define how software components should interact, enabling seamless integration and data exchange.
There are various types of APIs, including representational state transfer (REST), simple object access protocol (SOAP), and GraphQL, each with its own set of functionalities and use cases. APIs have revolutionized software development by promoting modularity, reusability, and interoperability.
The Role of API Intelligence
API intelligence refers to the practice of gaining insights and understanding from APIs to enhance business processes and decision-making. It involves monitoring, analyzing, and securing APIs to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and security. API intelligence enables businesses to make informed decisions based on real-time data, identify bottlenecks or vulnerabilities, and optimize API usage for improved customer experiences. For developers, API intelligence provides crucial feedback and metrics to optimize API design, performance, and usability.
Key Components of API Intelligence
API monitoring is a vital component of API intelligence as it allows businesses to track the availability, performance, and usage patterns of their APIs. By monitoring APIs, businesses can identify and resolve issues promptly, ensuring seamless service delivery to end-users. Various tools and techniques, such as real-time dashboards, alerts, and logs, enable effective API monitoring.
API analytics focuses on collecting and analyzing data generated by APIs. It provides valuable insights into API usage patterns, response times, error rates, and other performance metrics. API analytics can help businesses identify trends, optimize API performance, and make data-driven decisions to improve the overall user experience.
API security is a critical aspect of API intelligence, given the sensitivity of the data shared through APIs. Businesses need to implement robust security measures to protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats. API security encompasses authentication, authorization, encryption, and other techniques to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted through APIs.
Building Blocks of API Intelligence
API documentation plays a crucial role in API intelligence. Well-documented APIs facilitate smooth integration and usage by providing comprehensive and accurate information about API endpoints, request/response formats, error handling, and authentication mechanisms. Clear and up-to-date documentation saves time for developers and reduces the learning curve for API consumers.
API testing is essential for ensuring the functionality, reliability, and compatibility of APIs. By thoroughly testing APIs, developers can detect and fix bugs, validate data integrity, and ensure API compatibility across different platforms or devices. API testing techniques include unit testing, integration testing, and performance testing.
API versioning is essential when making changes to APIs without disrupting existing users. API versioning allows businesses to introduce new features or functionalities while maintaining backward compatibility with existing integrations. Proper versioning strategies prevent breaking changes and enable smoother transitions for API consumers.
Best Practices for API Intelligence
Implementing API monitoring and analytics is essential for proactive issue detection, performance optimization, and data-driven decision-making. Regular monitoring and analysis enable businesses to identify patterns, optimize resources, and improve overall API performance.
Ensuring API security and privacy is paramount in the age of increasing cyber threats. Implementing authentication mechanisms, encryption, and other security practices safeguards sensitive data transmitted through APIs.
Documenting APIs effectively simplifies integration for developers and reduces support requests. Clear, up-to-date, and accessible API documentation saves time and effort for developers, enabling them to utilize APIs more efficiently.
Following API versioning best practices allows businesses to evolve their APIs while minimizing disruption to existing users. Proper versioning strategies, such as semantic versioning, help maintain compatibility and smooth transitions.
Final Thoughts
API intelligence is a vital aspect of modern software development and business operations. By monitoring APIs, analyzing data, and ensuring security, businesses and developers can harness the power of APIs to enhance performance, optimize processes, and deliver exceptional user experiences.
By following best practices and utilizing appropriate tools and platforms, businesses can unlock the full potential of API intelligence and stay ahead in today’s digital landscape. Embracing API intelligence is the key to success in the world of interconnected applications and data-driven decision-making.
The Instax Square SQ40 is the latest fun camera on offer from Fujifilm and it is a large camera which got lots of attention when I was out testing it which I suppose is not a bad thing, if left me feeling nothing short of an American tourist with a big DSLR strapped around my neck strolling around the docklands for a day which was interesting to say the least and got me talking to all kinds of people which again is not bad and it created a conversation and got peoples attention albeit some just nosey. But you can see why with how the camera is built that gives it a more expensive look.
So when it comes to size as mentioned it is by no means on the small side however it is the simplicity of the camera that will appeal to most and Fujifilm camera fans will be aware of you just point and shoot and the job is done and you get a photo there and then and just wait until it processes right in front of you.
The fun part is the lens which opens up and it becomes even bigger and allows you to take selfies and a standard photo, there is no setting to mess with and no app so there is no complication here at all and you just point and shoot, having said that at times it did not get the picture I wanted even when using the viewfinder which has no correction and you need to gauge your distance right, after that press the shutter key which is nice and tactile by the way.
Photos are good for the most however some got blown out and this is something I have seen before with these cameras and to be fair it can happen on any camera and even on your smartphone which most folk use today. Selfies I found came out the best and even testing at night I found came out good as you will see in the video review below with the samples taken from the camera. The thing is there is no long exposure offering here and only what you get built in with no options to control it.
Overall it is an ideal camera for beginners for those wanting more might look elsewhere and I am no photography professional and this camera is not out to get those either it is for fun and looks and the SQ1 might be a better option for those who are more advanced and want a bit more but overall it is still a cool camera and fun to use and will get the attention it deserves.
Key SQ40 features include:
Automatic Exposure function
The SQ40’s Automatic Exposure function automatically senses the level of ambient light when the shutter button is pressed, optimizing the shutter speed and flash output according to the scene. It allows even novice INSTAX instant camera users to take photos that are automatically adjusted regardless of interior or exterior conditions, producing high-quality photos on-the-spot.
Selfie Mode for quicker and easier selfies
Users can activate the Selfie Mode, perfect for taking selfies and close-up shots, by simply twisting the lens after powering the SQ40 on. Using this mode to take amazing selfies and close-ups is incredibly easy and convenient.
New Film Variety Introduced:
Also accompanying the launch of SQ40 is Fujifilm’s launch of the new INSTAX SQUARE “Sunset” variety of instant film. The design of this new square format instant film is inspired by the gentle gradation of the colors in the sky during a sunset. As with all INSTAX SQUARE instant film varieties, Sunset will be available in a single pack with 10 exposures.
Pricing and Availability:
Fujifilm’s INSTAX SQUARE SQ40 instant camera will be available at Fujifilm stockist’s nationwide at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price EUR 150.00 (incl. VAT) and is expected to be available for purchase on 29th June 2023. For more product information, visit www.instax.ie/cameras/square-sq40/
INSTAX SQUARE Sunset instant film is also expected to be available on 29th June 2023 at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of EUR 11.00 (incl. VAT) per pack (10 sheets). For more information about this new INSTAX SQUARE instant film variety, visit www.instax.ie/film/#film-selector.
Space scientists from the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) have developed a new project, using artificial intelligence, which will allow them to give faster and more accurate warnings about powerful explosions on the Sun, known as solar flares.
Solar flares can disrupt vital technologies and infrastructure, including radio communications, electrical power grids, navigation systems and pose risks to spacecrafts and astronauts.
This new project, called ‘Active Region Classification and Flare Forecasting’ (ARCAFF), will use a special kind of artificial intelligence known as ‘deep learning’ to make better predictions than what is currently used in operational forecasting centres. It will also provide information about how certain the predictions are – information which is not currently available.
Commenting on the project, Dr Shane Maloney, Senior Research Fellow at DIAS and Project Lead for ARCAFF, said “As scientists, we have long been predicting the weather, but now we also have the ability to predict events happening much further away on the Sun. It may seem like these events have little effect on our daily lives, as we are largely protected from the Sun’s harmful radiation, by the magnetic field around the Earth. However, solar flares emission can change the atmosphere and create technological issues, like interfering with radio communication and GPS on Earth. They can also create beautiful displays in our night skies like the Northern Lights or aurora borealis.
“Space weather covers a variety of phenomena that occur because of the Sun’s turbulent behaviour, and its predictions are becoming more important as we further advance technology. Studying these space weather events helps us learn more about the Sun and better predict space weather. The new ARCAFF system will be more accurate and faster at giving us warnings about solar flares – which will greatly benefit space weather forecasters who provide guidance to spacecraft operators, and the power and aviation industries that are impacted by space weather.”
Also commenting on the ARCAFF project, Prof. Peter Gallagher, Head of Astronomy and Astrophysics at DIAS, said “The ARCAFF project is unique as it brings together science, analytics, and computing experts to work together in creating an advanced system to forecast solar flares. It has been an excellent opportunity for cross-disciplinary collaboration in DIAS and across the various partners involved.
“As well as being faster and more accurate at predicting solar flares, ARCAFF will make new datasets and software available for scientists to use, and the outputs of the project will be freely available online. We are also excited to educate the wider public about space weather and how it impacts Ireland and Europe, through our public engagement hub at DIAS Dunsink Observatory.”
The ARCAFF team includes partners across Europe that combines expertise in the fields of solar physics, machine learning, and computer science, including:
DIAS – solar physics and space weather forecasting experts;
Università di Genova in Italy – machine learning experts;
University of Westminster in the UK – science gateway development experts;
SZTAKI in Hungary – science gateway development experts.
The project is funded by Horizon Europe. Further information can be found here.
The European Patent Office (EPO) announced that Irish inventors Rhona Togher and Eimear O’Carroll are the winners in the ‘SMEs’ category of the European Inventor Award 2023. Selected from over 600 candidates, these inventors created an advanced acoustic material that reduces noise to address chronic sleep issues.
“We are honoured to win the European Inventor Award in the ‘SMEs’ category and would like to express our sincere gratitude to the European Patent Office. This award recognises many years of hard work and commitment to making the world a quieter place. It is a genuine privilege to be acknowledged alongside so many noteworthy inventors who have made such significant contributions to their fields,” say Togher and O’Carroll.
According to the European Environment Agency (EEA) approximately 20% of the EU population lives in areas with unacceptable noise and vibration levels.High noise levels have been linked to poor sleep and higher instances of heart problems. Due to noise pollution, the EEA estimates that 22 million people across Europe currently suffer from chronic high annoyance, whilst 6.5 million suffer chronic high sleep disturbance. Exposure to loud noise can also cause high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disturbances, and stress.
A sound solution for millions of people
Togher and O’Carroll’s invention, SoundBounce™, is a composite technology that reduces the negative effects of loud noise. It consists of a responsive material housed within a cellular structure that responds to agitation by becoming liquid and absorbing energy. One of its innovative features is the invention’s cellular structure; the second is a thixotropic gel (capable of liquefying when agitated and resolidifying when allowed to stand) placed inside the cells. Once sealed, they work together to dampen sound, reducing noise transmission from one space to another.This new material can also be integrated into machinery and vehicles to reduce noise output. It can be used in the automotive, construction, aerospace and home appliance industries.
This material is particularly effective at low frequencies, which present a significant challenge connected to products with engines, vibrations, and airflow. SoundBounce’s thinner material means that aeroplanes or vehicles using it could be lighter, thus reducing fuel consumption and leaving more space. In addition to the environmental advantages related to noise reduction, the materials used to make SoundBounce have a low environmental impact as they are non-toxic, and recyclable at end of life. Since SoundBounce was created, Togher and O’Carroll’s company has developed partnerships with renowned organisations such as the European Space Agency.
“Receiving this award serves as a reminder of the importance of innovation and the impact it can have on our society. We hope that this recognition will inspire others, especially young girls, to pursue their own inventions and to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible,” say Togher and O’Carroll.
The Irish duo behind the innovation have been named winners in the ‘SMEs’ category for this year’s European Inventor Award, which recognises outstanding inventors with inventions patented in Europe.All the winners of the 2023 edition of the European Inventor Award were announced at a hybrid ceremony in Valencia (Spain)
The European Patent Office (EPO) announced that Irish inventors Rhona Togher and Eimear O’Carroll are the winners in the ‘SMEs’ category of the European Inventor Award 2023. Selected from over 600 candidates, these inventors created an advanced acoustic material that reduces noise to address chronic sleep issues.
“We are honoured to win the European Inventor Award in the ‘SMEs’ category and would like to express our sincere gratitude to the European Patent Office. This award recognises many years of hard work and commitment to making the world a quieter place. It is a genuine privilege to be acknowledged alongside so many noteworthy inventors who have made such significant contributions to their fields,” say Togher and O’Carroll.
According to the European Environment Agency (EEA) approximately 20% of the EU population lives in areas with unacceptable noise and vibration levels.High noise levels have been linked to poor sleep and higher instances of heart problems. Due to noise pollution, the EEA estimates that 22 million people across Europe currently suffer from chronic high annoyance, whilst 6.5 million suffer chronic high sleep disturbance. Exposure to loud noise can also cause high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disturbances, and stress.
A sound solution for millions of people
Togher and O’Carroll’s invention, SoundBounce™, is a composite technology that reduces the negative effects of loud noise. It consists of a responsive material housed within a cellular structure that responds to agitation by becoming liquid and absorbing energy. One of its innovative features is the invention’s cellular structure; the second is a thixotropic gel (capable of liquefying when agitated and resolidifying when allowed to stand) placed inside the cells. Once sealed, they work together to dampen sound, reducing noise transmission from one space to another.This new material can also be integrated into machinery and vehicles to reduce noise output. It can be used in the automotive, construction, aerospace and home appliance industries.
This material is particularly effective at low frequencies, which present a significant challenge connected to products with engines, vibrations, and airflow. SoundBounce’s thinner material means that aeroplanes or vehicles using it could be lighter, thus reducing fuel consumption and leaving more space. In addition to the environmental advantages related to noise reduction, the materials used to make SoundBounce have a low environmental impact as they are non-toxic, and recyclable at end of life. Since SoundBounce was created, Togher and O’Carroll’s company has developed partnerships with renowned organisations such as the European Space Agency.
“Receiving this award serves as a reminder of the importance of innovation and the impact it can have on our society. We hope that this recognition will inspire others, especially young girls, to pursue their own inventions and to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible,” say Togher and O’Carroll.
The Irish duo behind the innovation have been named winners in the ‘SMEs’ category for this year’s European Inventor Award, which recognises outstanding inventors with inventions patented in Europe.All the winners of the 2023 edition of the European Inventor Award were announced at a hybrid ceremony in Valencia (Spain).
In today’s data-driven world, cyber security is more important than ever. Despite the uncertainty of recent times, businesses and organisations in Ireland are still transforming at speed.
Technology remains at the very centre of Government efforts to foster innovation and economic growth. The latest national digital strategy sets out a range of ambitious targets to ensure that three in four Irish businesses adopt Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Cloud by 2030. 90% of services are also due to be consumed online by the end of the decade.
While these targets are welcome and, moreover, necessary to make sure Ireland harnesses the full potential of the very latest technologies, it’s also the case that an increase in digitalisation brings with it a corresponding increase in the threat of cyber-attacks.
Evolving cyber threats
Over the past year, we have seen several high-profile cyber incidents here in Ireland that reinforce the need for small and large businesses across the public and private sector in Ireland to enhance their cyber resilience. Indeed, in 2022 alone, the total cost of cybercrime is estimated to have surpassed €10bn.
As cyber-crime becomes more prevalent so do the sorts of attacks levelled at businesses become more insidious. The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau and National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warned about an increase in ransomware attacks against small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) over the past few months. In recent weeks, the National Cybersecurity Coordination and Development Centre has been created to help strengthen SME cyber resilience.
The problem is that the ability to protect an organisation’s data has become increasingly difficult with some SMEs overwhelmed. A shift to hybrid working has given malicious actors new opportunities to target vulnerable remote workers while phishing attacks and email thread hijacking have been on the rise.
Business leaders are beginning to react, with nine in ten business leaders now recognising the vital importance of building the cyber resiliency of their firm. From Zero Trust frameworks for the verification, assurance and protection of data to robust response and data recovery plans, Irish leaders are turning to new technologies and new technology models to strengthen their cyber security.
Importance of culture
However, cybersecurity is just as much, if not more, about people than technology.
In tandem with technology solutions, there needs to be a cultural shift within businesses that recognises the importance of cyber security. This comes from the top of the organisation and filters through down to all levels and departments.
Business leaders are actually the first line of defence. By setting the tone and the culture for cyber resilience within an organisation, leaders play a vital role in putting cyber security at the very heart of business strategy and workforce development.
A key component of this is influencing employee behaviour around cyber resilience in the workplace – empowering their people with the latest training and skills to become role models and champions of the best cyber security practices.
While the latest intelligent tools and data protection services will always play a critical role, they are just one key part of an overall strategy that recognises how everyone within the business needs to work together to ward off cyber threats.
Whole of organisation approach
This particularly applies to those teams who are developing new products or services. By integrating cyber security into both their products and practices, these teams can help to close the loop on cyber security for their own business and that of their customers.
In this way, leaders can better embrace a comprehensive approach to cyber risk mitigation that goes beyond mere threat detection. Rather, they can ensure that cyber security plays an integral role in an organisation’s overall business strategy from the very beginning and is considered in any future digital transformation initiatives.
At Dell Technologies, we’re seeing more organisations across both the private and public sector treat cyber security as an integral component of their overall digital transformation strategy. When setting out to build a consistent digital learning experience for its 34,000 students and staff in a hybrid world, Ulster University tapped into Dell’s team of cyber experts to enhance its cyber resilience.
Protecting Ireland’s most critical data
With AI, 5G and Edge Computing developing at pace, Ireland has a unique opportunity to become a world leader in a range of emerging technologies. However, if we are to reach our 2030 digital targets, we need to continually ward off the latest cyber threats and protect Ireland’s reputation as a digital hub both in Europe and beyond.
At Dell Technologies, we are continually working to help Ireland remain one step ahead of cyber threats. Through a €2m investment in our new Customer Solutions Centre in Cork, we’re looking to provide the essential infrastructure for organisations to protect their most important information assets and help strengthen the city’s location as a cyber security hub.
But, as cyber threats become more sophisticated and costly, business leaders need to become the front line of defence on this journey.
That means placing a strong focus on building a culture where cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility and where their people have the skills to enhance cyber resilience within their organisation. By fostering that culture, leaders of large, medium and small businesses can not only protect themselves against the increasing threat of cyber-attacks but can reduce business disruption and recover more quickly “when” and not “if” an attack occurs in the weeks and months ahead.
