Tag: #cybersecurity

Microsoft marks end of Cybersecurity Awareness Month with event for over 400 secondary school students

To mark the end of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, over 400 secondary school students from post primary schools across the country gathered in Microsoft Ireland’s campus in Leopardstown, Dublin for the CyberSchools Quest event. The gathering was the final in a series of events held during October and focused on equipping the students with cyber security skills and knowledge and opening their minds to the career opportunities within this growing sector.

With the changing nature of cyber-attacks, there is a growing demand for cyber security skills and need to foster the next generation of cybersecurity leaders in Ireland. A recent report by Cyber Ireland reveals that over 8 in 10 businesses (83%) expect to grow their cybersecurity team over the next twelve months and predicts the cyber security sector could add an additional 10,000 jobs to the Irish economy by 2030.

Recognising the opportunity to equip students with these skills, Microsoft Ireland collaborated with the Technological University (TU) Dublin and ZeroDays to deliver the CyberSchools Quest programme. It culminated in what was the largest ‘capture the flag’ cybersecurity event held for post-primary schools in Ireland to mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month which takes place across the month of October each year.

The CyberSchools Quest programme helps to address the cyber skills gap by focusing on developing cyber capabilities across a range of key domains such as confidentiality (keeping data secure); phishing, identifying common social engineering strategies; and reconnaissance, using open source-intelligence to find information online. The initiative also helps to foster computational thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and communication skills.

CyberSchools Quest centered around a week-long series of cyber learning sessions and hands-on challenges designed to introduce post-primary school students to the world of cyber security. Leveraging content developed by ZeroDays in collaboration with TU Dublin, CyberSchools Quest was then delivered in the immersive learning environment within Microsoft Dream Space.

Schools visited Microsoft Dream Space to take part in the week-long series with the final event bringing all students together at Microsoft Ireland’s campus in Leopardstown, Dublin. Here students competed across a number of cybersecurity ‘capture the flag’ challenges. On completion students could apply for a digital badge accredited by TU Dublin, while the winning team, CBS Mullingar from County Westmeath, were crowned CyberSchools Quest champions and can go on to undertake an opportunity to represent Ireland at the European Cybersecurity Challenge finals in 2024.

James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Leader and Vice-President Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre, said: “We were delighted to mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month by welcoming over 400 secondary school students from across Ireland to the inaugural CyberSchools Quest event at our campus in Dublin. A central part of our mission is to skill up Ireland with the in-demand skills for our digital economy. By way of this initiative, we were able to focus on developing cyber security skills in our young people, opening their minds to not only the changing nature of cyber threats but the job opportunities within the sector.

“By joining forces with TU Dublin and ZeroDays we are helping to ensure that the next generation are provided with fun and engaging ways to develop these capabilities.  The enthusiasm demonstrated by the students at CyberSchools Quest underpins the importance of events such as this and of industry partnering with the education sector to unlock the opportunities of our digital world.   I’d like to thank all the students who participated and importantly their schools and teachers for taking the time to bring them to the events.”

The CyberSchools Quest initiative builds on a collaboration between Microsoft Ireland and TU Dublin focused on supporting the development of Cloud, Cyber and Datacenter skills through existing and new potential courses delivered at TU Dublin. Working together Microsoft and TU Dublin have committed to supporting initiatives that provide greater access into these skilling programs while also remaining focused on the promotion of STEM based programs connecting with existing initiatives such as Microsoft Dream Space.

Speaking about the partnership Dr Anthony Keane, the Head of School of Informatics and Cybersecurity said: “TU Dublin and Microsoft Ireland have forged a strong partnership over recent years as together we aim empower learners and teachers with the skills, they’ll need for a world increasing shaped by technology. The new CyberSchools Quest event builds on those strong ties by equipping secondary school students with in-demand cyber security skills and other problem-solving and computational skills so they are prepared for the digital future that lies ahead.

“Channeling the curiosity and creativity of our young people into digital technology and cyber security at CyberSchools Quest is an important step in addressing digital skills gaps and building a foundational awareness of best practice cyber security. We’re proud to join Microsoft and ZeroDays in bridging the skills gap and supporting the next generation of young people achieve more through technology.”

Ciaran Curran, teacher at Largy College, Clones, Monaghan said: “We were delighted to be at Microsoft Ireland’s campus with our students and have the opportunity to join others from across Ireland for CyberSchools Quest. Through this experience the students have been able to learn new cyber skills and put them to the test. It has not only helped to spark an interest in STEM among the students, it has also opened their eyes to the career opportunities that exist in the cybersecurity sector and helped them to believe that perhaps one day they could become the cybersecurity leaders of the future.”

To learn more about CyberSchools Quest and Microsoft Dream Space, please visit: dreamspace.ie

The Cyber Security Breaches Survey Identifies 39% Of UK Businesses Previously Experienced Cyber Attacks

In the corporate world, where remote workforces and cloud technologies have become the new norm, cyber security has taken centre stage. Recent statistics underscore the growing need for resilient cyber security measures as cyber threats continue to proliferate. 

The Alarming Reality: Cyber Threats on the Rise

The Cyber Security Breaches Survey, a comprehensive report on the state of cyber security in the UK, has unveiled a sobering truth. In 2022, an eye-opening 39% of surveyed businesses in the United Kingdom fell prey to cyber incidents. These attacks, characterised by their sophistication and the difficulty of preventing them, have fundamentally altered the way we perceive cyber security.

Once perceived as a possibility, cyber threats are now considered an inevitability. This shift in mindset has driven an increased demand for disaster recovery solutions that are both comprehensive and capable of rapid response and recovery. The reality is clear: businesses must take proactive measures to fortify their defences in the face of an ever-expanding digital threat landscape.

Outsourcing Proves To Be A Strategic Shift for Large UK Businesses

Among the notable trends stemming from the evolving threat landscape is the growing trend of large UK businesses choosing to outsource their cyber security operations. A staggering 60% of these enterprises have opted for this strategic move, reaping substantial benefits in the process.

The decision to outsource is motivated by several key factors, each of which underscores the wisdom behind this strategic choice:

Access to Specialised Expertise: Cyber threats have grown in complexity and scope, making it challenging for in-house teams to keep pace with the evolving threat landscape. Outsourcing security operations grants access to expert partners who specialise in staying one step ahead of cyber adversaries.

Abundant Resources: Cyber security is resource-intensive, from advanced tools and technology to personnel. By outsourcing, businesses gain access to a wealth of resources that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive.

Stringent Security Standards: Compliance with stringent security standards is imperative, especially for large enterprises. Expert cyber security partners are well-versed in these standards, ensuring businesses meet and exceed regulatory requirements.

By entrusting their cyber security to external partners, large UK businesses are freed from the burden of maintaining in-house cyber security teams, allowing them to focus on their core operations. This strategic shift is not merely a cost-saving measure; it is a proactive step toward enhanced cyber resilience.

The Way Forward: A Comprehensive Approach to Cyber Resilience

In light of the rising threat landscape, businesses must adopt a holistic approach to cyber resilience. This approach encompasses various elements, each essential for safeguarding business operations in an increasingly digital world.

Continuous Data Protection, or CDP, has emerged as a cornerstone of modern cyber security. CDP captures and tracks data changes, automatically saving every version of data as it evolves. This technology enables businesses to recover data at any given point in time, even mere seconds before an outage occurs. In an era of relentless cyber threats, CDP is an indispensable safety net.

Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) simplifies the complexities of disaster recovery by entrusting them to external partners. These partners provide fully managed services, offering expertise from implementation to recovery. In the face of an impending disaster, DRaaS ensures swift response and recovery, allowing businesses to resume operations with minimal downtime.

Peter Moorhead, Cyber Security CTO at Telefónica Tech, underscores the importance of adopting Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) solution; “DRaaS not only empowers businesses to tackle modern cybersecurity threats with continuous data protection but also provides the expertise, resources, and standards required to navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape. As cyber attacks become more sophisticated, organisations must invest in resilient disaster recovery strategies to safeguard their operations and maintain business continuity.”

With cloud computing becoming integral to business operations, it is imperative to develop strategies that ensure data security and recovery in the cloud. As businesses transition from legacy infrastructure to the cloud, disaster recovery requirements evolve. Having a trusted partner by your side who comprehends these changes is essential, regardless of whether you are in the early stages of transition or fully immersed in the cloud.

Sustainability is a crucial consideration in all areas of business, including disaster recovery. As businesses seek to minimise their environmental impact. DRaaS can mitigate the ecological footprint. By managing all backups and servers, DRaaS reduces the environmental impact associated with purchasing, maintaining, and upgrading legacy infrastructure. Additionally, the flexibility to add or remove services as needed optimises resource usage and minimises waste.

The Round-Up

The statistics from the Cyber Security Breaches Survey serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for robust security measures. Embracing continuous data protection, disaster recovery as a service, and sustainable practices not only fortifies a business’s resilience but also contributes to a more responsible and secure future. As companies navigate the dynamic landscape of business in the digital age, one thing is certain: cyber threats are a reality, and it’s up to all businesses to fortify their defences and protect their digital assets.

Irish firms urged to prioritise ‘critical trio’ of cybersecurity

Ransomware defence, employee awareness training and encrypted backup of mission-critical data are the ‘critical trio’ of areas that the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is urging firms to address during European Cybersecurity Month.

Denis Ryan, who has global responsibility for information security management certification systems with NSAI and is a certified Lead Auditor, believes that businesses must become cyber-resilient. He said: “Firms often get caught out by threats they didn’t know existed – the unknown unknowns – so it’s important to stay informed and keep upskilling your IT team so it has the capabilities to cope with whatever threats arise. Regardless of the size of your business or the sector in which you operate, cybersecurity needs to be a priority.”

Ryan was speaking at the launch of NSAI’s free webinar series for organisations interested in certification to information security management systems. The new series, featuring Ryan and other subject matter experts, is called ‘Let’s talk about information security’ and the webinars take place on October 24th, November 1st, November 30th and December 6th.

Ryan recommends that firms look at implementing best practice, so they can evolve as needed to face down emerging threats: “For those unsure of where to start, the critical trio of areas to address are ransomware defence, employee awareness training (especially for non-IT staff) and encrypted backup of mission-critical data, as you can revert to this if you have a breach.”

He added: “Continuous awareness training is vital so that all employees understand that everyone has a role to play by being able to recognise phishing attempts and following security protocols. It’s also important to factor in cybersecurity to your change management protocol, for example. How will new tools or processes affect privacy, record control and other aspects of cyber-resilience for your business?”

Other areas to prioritise, according to Ryan, include vulnerability scanning, patching, having good authentication and password management, and being able to offer incident response plans, – meaning that if something untoward happens, the firm has a plan for handling it.

He said: “For Irish businesses, being smart about cybersecurity pays dividends on multiple fronts. First, when your cybersecurity is up to date, you prevent the financial loss that comes with any breach. Cybersecurity issues such as data theft or service disruption regularly cause companies to incur significant financial losses.”

He added: “It’s a good time to plan ahead and think strategically, as the European Union will be introducing multiple new cybersecurity directives as it focuses on a new cybersecurity certification framework.”

NSAI’s ‘Let’s talk about information security’ webinars are free to attend and bookings can be made at www.nsai.ie/27001.

AIG Ireland and University of Notre Dame Dublin Global Gateway hosted today the 2023 Cybersecurity Symposium & Sports Panel Event.

Over 250 of Ireland’s C-Suite executives, Academia, Government and Sports representatives gathered to hear from some of the world’s leading experts in Cyber Security, Risk, Technology, Law Enforcement, Governance, as well as a panel of leading sporting legends from Ireland and the US before the highly anticipated Notre Dame V Navy game in Dublin.

Guests had the opportunity to hear from: Honorable John F. Plumb, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, US Department of Defense; Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States of America; Jayne Brady, Head of Northern Ireland Civil Service; Mitch Kajzer, University of Notre Dame Cybercrime Investigation.

Research and Education (CIRE) Initiative, Associate Professor of the Practice; Dr. Heather Melville, CEO & Founder, Clarke Smith Advisory, Chancellor of York University and Senior Advisor (DE&I) to Teneo; Professor Joe Carthy, University College Dublin, School of Computer Science; Sophie De Ferranti, Senior Managing Director, Teneo , Global Head of Cybersecurity, Teneo People Advisory; Tracie Grella, Global Head of Cyber Risk Insurance, AIG New York; and, Ryan Lasmaili, CEO, Vaultree.

How IT Talents Propel Innovation and Growth in Modern Businesses

In today’s fast-paced and technology-driven landscape, skilled IT professionals are the driving force behind companies’ success, transforming traditional approaches and revolutionizing industries. From crafting cutting-edge solutions to leveraging emerging technologies, these talented individuals are at the forefront of shaping business strategies, enhancing productivity, and fueling the relentless pursuit of advancement. Join us as we explore the invaluable impact of IT talents and how they are propelling innovation to unprecedented heights in the corporate world.

Adopt Strategic Technology

Pioneering the Path to Innovation and Growth In the ever-evolving landscape of modern businesses, strategic technology adoption stands as a driving force behind innovation and growth. IT talents play a pivotal role in meticulously assessing emerging technological trends and discerning their potential impact on the organization’s long-term objectives. 

By carefully selecting and hiring the right employees, you will enjoy integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI, blockchain, cloud computing, and IoT. These experts empower businesses to optimize processes, enhance efficiency, and gain a competitive edge. You can find employees for IT departments through various channels such as online job portals, professional networking platforms like LinkedIn, tech-focused recruitment agencies, and by participating in industry-specific job fairs and conferences. 

Through their foresight and expertise, strategic technology adoption sets the stage for businesses to embrace innovation, adapt to dynamic market demands, and forge a path towards sustained growth in the digital era.

Implement Digital Transformation Initiatives

In a rapidly digitizing world, IT talents take on the crucial responsibility of driving and executing digital transformation initiatives within organizations. Armed with their expertise, these professionals lead the charge in adopting digital tools, reimagining processes, and revolutionizing customer experiences. By spearheading the integration of advanced technologies, such as AI, automation, and data analytics, IT talents enable businesses to stay ahead of the curve. 

Their strategic implementation of digital transformation not only enhances operational efficiency but also paves the way for innovative products and services that cater to evolving customer needs. Embracing this paradigm shift is paramount for unlocking sustainable business success in the digital age.

Enhance Data-Driven Decision Making

IT talents play a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of information to drive business decisions. By harnessing powerful data analytics tools and techniques, these experts distill vast amounts of data into actionable insights. They empower organizations to make informed decisions, optimize processes, and identify growth opportunities. 

Through a deep understanding of data patterns and customer behavior, IT talents provide a foundation for innovation and agile response to market changes. Emphasizing data-driven decision-making not only ensures a competitive edge but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement, positioning businesses to thrive amidst evolving industry landscapes.

Implement Cybersecurity and Risk Management

As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, IT talents take on a critical role in fortifying modern businesses against potential risks. With an unwavering focus on cybersecurity, these experts design and implement robust defense mechanisms, proactively identifying vulnerabilities and orchestrating swift incident responses. 

Through continuous risk assessments and compliance measures, IT talents establish a culture of proactive risk management, ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. By safeguarding business assets and customer trust, their diligent efforts bolster business resilience, allowing organizations to innovate and grow with confidence in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Agile Development and Continuous Innovation

IT talents champion the adoption of agile development methodologies, catalyzing a culture of continuous innovation within organizations. By embracing agility, these experts facilitate iterative, collaborative, and customer-centric approaches to product and service development. Through rapid prototyping, frequent feedback loops, and adaptive project management, IT talents enable businesses to respond swiftly to evolving customer needs and market trends. 

Emphasizing continuous improvement and learning, their commitment to innovation ensures that businesses stay ahead of the competition, unleash creative potential, and deliver high-impact solutions that drive sustainable growth and success in the ever-accelerating digital era.

Collaboration and Cross-Functional Integration

IT talents act as catalysts for seamless collaboration and cross-functional integration within organizations. By bridging the gap between various departments, they facilitate a cohesive exchange of ideas, expertise, and resources. Leveraging their technical acumen, these professionals create platforms and systems that enhance communication and coordination among teams. 

Through collaborative initiatives, IT talents promote a culture of knowledge-sharing and innovative problem-solving, yielding synergistic solutions that address complex business challenges. This harmonious integration of skills and perspectives not only enhances operational efficiency but also sparks new avenues for growth, unlocking the full potential of diverse talents and propelling the organization towards collective success.

IT talents play a transformative role in modern businesses, driving innovation and fostering growth. By strategically adopting technologies, implementing digital transformations, enhancing data-driven decision-making, fortifying cybersecurity, embracing agility, and promoting cross-functional collaboration, these experts enable organizations to thrive in the fast-paced digital landscape. Their expertise empowers businesses to stay ahead of the competition, respond to customer needs, and navigate dynamic market challenges with confidence. As technology continues to evolve, IT talents remain essential partners in propelling businesses towards success and shaping a prosperous future.

 

People as important as technology in strengthening cyber resilience – By Catherine Doyle, Managing Director, Dell Technologies Ireland

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.

Google finds that only 20% of Irish SMEs are aware of the necessary cyber security measures to protect their data and digital assets

Research conducted by iReach Insights on behalf of Google has found that the majority of SMEs (77%) agree that having a secure online presence is a priority for their business, with 42% strongly agreeing that it is a priority. However, only 20% are very aware of the specific measures or tools required to protect their data/ digital assets while 64% know a little but not much.

When it comes to protecting their website and digital assets, the research shows that just over a half of SMEs regularly back-up data (54%), ensure software is updated (53%), and use two step authentication for accessing common owned devices (53%).

Despite the fact that a strong majority of Irish SMEs readily recognise the benefits of having a secure online presence, less than half of SMEs require employees to periodically change passwords (44%) or take regular or annual security awareness training (38%). Even less (28%) have an incident response plan in case of a cyberattack.

When it comes to how cyber security is managed,  38% of SMEs have their cybersecurity managed in-house, 25% have it outsourced, while 37% have a mix of both. Interestingly, the 38% of SMEs that have their cybersecurity managed in-house express the highest levels of satisfaction at 70%. The 37% of SMEs that have a mix of both In-House and Outsourcing, show the lowest satisfaction levels at 53%.

The findings were published as Google added a new module, ‘Improve your online business security’, to the You’re the Business initiative, a digital training scheme to help upskill Irish SMEs. Launched in July 2022 by Google, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices, You’re the Business aims to accelerate Irish SME growth through digitalisation in the form of tailored, free of charge online training as well as an SME reward programme.

Marie Davis, Head of SME Retail, UK and Ireland, Google said: “Google is very proud of the You’re the Business initiative and how it has helped Irish businesses initiate, grow, and expand their digital capabilities over the last twelve months. We are introducing a new cyber security module as our research informs us that while Irish SMEs understand the importance of cyber security, they are not always aware of the measures required to protect their data and digital assets. Designed by Google experts, this online training program will better protect SMEs from the growing threat of cyberattack”.

John Magee, Chair of the network of Local Enterprise Offices, said; “Cybersecurity has been identified as a key area of both threat and growth in the coming years. It is vital that small businesses understand that, particularly those that have a significant online presence. As sustainability has become a pillar for many small businesses, so should cybersecurity and it is fantastic that we can now offer that expertise to every small business across the country through our partnership with Google and the You’re the Business initiative. This is another area where we are expanding our approach to ensure small businesses are getting the support they need from their Local Enterprise Office.

Carol Gibbons, Head of Regions and Local Enterprise, Enterprise Ireland, said; “The You’re the Business Campaign in partnership with Google and the Local Enterprise Offices has helped us to significantly increase our offerings to small business in the areas of digitization.  In recent years trading online has become crucial for many businesses and it has also opened doors to new markets internationally.  This brings opportunity but also significant exposure for businesses to threats such as cyber-crime. This new element of the initiative is the perfect first step for businesses to enhance their cybersecurity protocols.”

With the addition of the ‘Improve your online business security’ module today, SMEs can now access [ four modules that can help SME decision makers understand and grow their digital capabilities. All training is accessed through the You’re The Business website.

All training modules including the cyber training are available on-demand online. For further information please visit: g.co/yourethebusiness

Intelligence cybersecurity leader Centripetal to create 50 Irish jobs, brings innovative technology to the cloud

Centripetal, the global leader in intelligence powered cybersecurity, today announced that it has opened its Galway based European Cyber Intelligence Centre of Excellence to address cybersecurity opportunities in the UK, Ireland and across Europe. Additionally, the company is enabling cloud-based deployments of its CleanINTERNET® solution for total enterprise protection. Centripetal is headquartered in the US and has plans to create 50 jobs in Galway. The project is supported by the Government of Ireland through IDA Ireland.

According to the International Trade Administration, The cybersecurity market in Ireland is thriving, valued at €280 million. However, with economic crime and fraud on the rise in recent years, cybercrime is extremely disruptive in how it impacts the business community. Grant Thornton Ireland reports that the cost of cybercrime in Ireland exceeded €9.6 billion in 2020. With the opening of Centripetal’s European Cyber Intelligence Centre of Excellence, the company will bring its innovative, patented technologies to the European market to protect organizations from every known cyberthreat.

Centripetal’s European Cyber Intelligence Centre of Excellence will serve as the central hub where new and existing customers can work with Centripetal to gain insight on the current European and global threat landscape and how they might be affected. Customers will have access to Centripetal’s global cyber intelligence operations analyst team, who continuously analyze emerging threats, highlighting critical risks and applying global threat intelligence.

“Today’s jobs announcement is yet another vote of confidence in Galway, in our available skilled workforce and in our city and county as a great place to work and live. Galway was home to a number of significant investment announcements last year including Fidelity Investment, Genesys, SAP and Diligent, so Centripetal are certainly in good company,” said Minister Hildegarde Naughton TD. “Congratulations again to the entire team at Centripetal and thank you for choosing not only Galway but the people of Galway.”

‘’The news that Centripetal is to open a European Cyber Intelligence Centre of Excellence in Galway is great news for the West Region and this investment will support the development of the wider technology ecosystem in Ireland for cyber,” said Anne-Marie Tierney Le-Roux, Head of Department Enterprise Technology at IDA Ireland. “The creation of 50 jobs is a vote of confidence in the talent and skill set that our regional locations in Ireland have to offer. I would like to wish Centripetal every success as they scale operations.’’

To give customers the ability to access intelligence powered cybersecurity everywhere, Centripetal’s CleanINTERNET® CLOUD is now available for deployment. The CleanINTERNET® service is a revolutionary approach to defending a company’s assets from cyber threats by leveraging dynamic threat intelligence on a mass scale. The solution can be deployed to protect assets running in cloud environments, providing unparalleled cyber defense and removing the need for more costly cybersecurity infrastructure. The addition of AWS cloud support extends CleanINTERNET® to protect all enterprise assets whether on premises, remote or in the cloud. Centripetal will additionally provide CleanINTERNET® on Azure and Google Cloud Platform in late 2023.

“Centripetal is the only cybersecurity vendor that delivers intelligence powered protection that neutralizes every known cyberattack at the network level while simultaneously driving down the cost of security operations,” said Jonathan Rogers, Chief Operating Officer for Centripetal. “Our innovative technology is an industry first and we’re thrilled to be partnering with the IDA to bring our solution to Ireland and the UK to not only provide unparalleled protection for our customers but also valuable employment opportunities for the country.”

Centripetal uses threat intelligence to shield organizations from 99% of known cyberthreats globally with CleanINTERNET®. This uniquely managed cyber defense service provides greater effectiveness, lower costs, and enhanced security expertise to defend networks from attacks.

Centripetal goes beyond traditional threat intelligence methods and pushes the industry forward by operationalizing the world’s largest collection of threat intelligence:

  • With over 250 Threat Intelligence providers, CleanINTERNET® applies over 100 billion indicators of compromise from real-time intelligence feeds, updated every 15 minutes, to protect its customers’ networks.
  • Centripetal defends customers networks by providing the fastest packet filtering technology on the planet, applying millions of threat intelligence based rules to incoming and outgoing datastreams with zero latency.
  • Centripetal’s elite team of highly trained intelligence operations analysts acts as an extension of its customer’s internal cybersecurity team, who monitor and analyze emerging threats. This mitigates the skills gap and reduces the burden on overworked IT resources.

For more information on Centripetal’s offering and its latest global European expansion, visit www.centripetal.ai/centripetal-ireland/

6 Cybersecurity Challenges in Internet-based Business Communication

Internet-based business communication is crucial to the smooth running of today’s businesses, necessitating stringent security protocols. Businesses must be aware of the danger posed by cybercriminals if they wish to protect their data, maintain their customers’ confidence, and prevent catastrophes. 

This article will discuss and offer solutions to six of the most prevalent cybersecurity issues related to conducting business communications over the Internet.

Data breaches

Data breaches pose a significant risk to business communication of all sizes. Threatening parties seek opportunities through communication channels to exploit vulnerabilities and gain illicit access to sensitive data. Implementing stringent security measures to reduce the likelihood of data intrusions must be a top priority for organizations. 

Utilizing robust encryption protocols, implementing multi-factor authentication, executing regular vulnerability assessments, availing services from trusted wireless equipment providers (https://connectedsolutionsgroup.com/), and actively monitoring network traffic are all components of network security.

Phishing attacks

Phishing attacks continue to be a prevalent threat in internet-based business communication. Cybercriminals employ sophisticated techniques to deceive employees into divulging confidential information or performing malicious actions. 

Organizations should educate their staff on recognizing phishing attempts, implement email filters and spam detection systems, and adopt strong password policies to combat phishing attacks. Regular training and awareness programs are crucial to instilling a security-conscious culture within the organization.

Malware infections

Malware, including viruses, ransomware, and spyware, poses a significant risk to internet-based business communication. These malicious software programs can infiltrate systems, disrupt operations, and compromise sensitive data. 

To protect against malware infections, it is essential to employ robust antivirus software, regularly update systems and applications, and practice safe online communication habits. Additionally, implementing a comprehensive backup strategy ensures swift recovery during an attack.

Insider threats

While external threats often receive more attention, organizations must not overlook the potential risks posed by insider threats. Disgruntled employees, accidental data leaks, or compromised credentials can lead to significant breaches. 

Implementing strict access controls, conducting thorough background checks, and regularly monitoring employee activities are crucial to mitigating insider threats. Additionally, fostering a positive work environment and promoting open communication can help create a sense of loyalty and reduce the likelihood of internal breaches.

Cloud security

Securing cloud environments becomes paramount as businesses increasingly rely on cloud-based communication and data storage solutions. Organizations must carefully select reputable cloud service providers that prioritize robust security measures. It includes implementing encryption, maintaining data backups, enforcing access controls, and conducting regular security audits. 

Employing a defense-in-depth approach combining multiple layers of security controls further enhances cloud security and safeguards against unauthorized access.

Mobile device vulnerabilities

With the proliferation of mobile devices in the workplace, securing business communication on these devices is crucial. Mobile devices can be easily lost, stolen, or compromised, potentially exposing sensitive information. 

To mitigate mobile device vulnerabilities, businesses should enforce strong device encryption, require passcodes or biometric authentication, and implement remote wiping capabilities in case of loss or theft. Regularly updating mobile operating systems and applications is vital to address known security vulnerabilities.

Final thoughts

It is imperative to stay informed about emerging threats, continually update security measures, and foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness among employees. Remember, cybersecurity is an ongoing process that requires constant adaptation and vigilance. Prioritizing robust security measures will safeguard your business, enhance customer trust, and differentiate you from competitors.