Tag: Digital

Navigating the Dynamic Intersection of Digital Art Galleries in the Shifting Landscape of Decentralized Currency.

Bitcoin, a decentralized digital currency, emerges as a disruptive force across various industries, reshaping conventional norms in transactions and ownership within the realm of digital art. The evolution of digital art, moving from traditional forms to creative expressions in the digital realm, signifies an ongoing digital art renaissance. This article thoroughly explores the intersection of Bitcoin with the thriving digital art scene, delving into the symbiotic relationship between the decentralized currency and digital art galleries. As we immerse ourselves in the dynamic world of digital artistic expression, insights emerge on how Bitcoin seamlessly integrates into the ever-evolving fabric of digital art galleries. Amidst this transformative integration, a notable development is the rise of https://immediate-ewave.com/, an online trading solution that enhances accessibility and engagement within the digital art market.

Bitcoin as a Revolutionary Currency in the Art World

Decentralization: Redefining Art Market Dynamics

Bitcoin’s decentralized nature challenges the conventional art market by eliminating the need for intermediaries. This section explores how this decentralization impacts the traditional dynamics of art transactions.

Bitcoin’s Role in Disintermediation

An exploration of how Bitcoin serves as a catalyst for disintermediation in the art world, erasing the need for middlemen and fostering direct transactions between artists and collectors.

Transparency and Trust in Art Transactions

Unpacking the transparency afforded by Bitcoin transactions, this section discusses how the blockchain ensures a trustworthy and transparent ecosystem for art transactions.

NFTs: Transforming Digital Art Ownership

Understanding Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

An in-depth exploration of NFTs, the unique cryptographic tokens that have become synonymous with digital art ownership, and their role in transforming the landscape.

The Role of NFTs in Authenticating Digital Art

Investigating how NFTs serve as digital certificates of authenticity, revolutionizing the concept of ownership and provenance in the digital art space.

NFT Marketplaces and Integration with Bitcoin

Examining the emergence of NFT marketplaces and their integration with Bitcoin, this section discusses the synergy between these two blockchain-based technologies in the realm of digital art.

Bitcoin’s Influence on Digital Art Curation

Decentralized Curation Platforms: Shaping Artistic Visibility

An exploration of decentralized curation platforms that leverage Bitcoin, emphasizing how they enhance artist visibility in the digital art landscape.

Artist Visibility Enhanced by Bitcoin

Delving into the ways Bitcoin contributes to the visibility of artists, spotlighting the mechanisms that enable artists to reach wider audiences.

Challenges and Opportunities in Curating with Bitcoin

Addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by Bitcoin in the curation of digital art, this section provides insights into the evolving landscape of artistic curation.

Crypto Art Collectors: The Rise of a New Community

Profiling the Crypto Art Collector

A closer look at the characteristics and motivations of crypto art collectors, exploring the emergence of a distinct community within the broader art world.

Bitcoin’s Impact on Art Investment Strategies

Investigating how Bitcoin influences the strategies employed by art investors, shaping new paradigms in the valuation and acquisition of digital artworks.

Building Community through Blockchain Technology

Examining the role of blockchain technology, particularly Bitcoin, in fostering a sense of community among art collectors and enthusiasts within the crypto art sphere.

Challenges and Criticisms

Environmental Concerns Surrounding Bitcoin and Digital Art

A critical examination of the environmental implications associated with Bitcoin transactions in the context of digital art, addressing concerns related to sustainability.

Regulatory Challenges and the Need for Standardization

Exploring the regulatory challenges faced by the intersection of Bitcoin and digital art, and the potential need for standardization to ensure a secure and legally compliant ecosystem.

Addressing the Exclusivity and Accessibility Debate

Discussing the ongoing debate surrounding the exclusivity and accessibility of digital art in the Bitcoin era, considering both challenges and potential solutions.

Future Trends and Possibilities

Emerging Technologies Shaping the Future of Digital Art

An exploration of the cutting-edge technologies poised to shape the future of digital art, envisioning how these innovations might interact with the transformative capabilities of Bitcoin.

Potential Collaborations between Bitcoin and Augmented Reality

Investigating the potential synergy between Bitcoin and augmented reality, envisioning how these technologies may converge to create immersive and novel artistic experiences.

Forecasting the Evolution of Digital Art Galleries in the Bitcoin Era

Speculating on the future trajectory of digital art galleries, this section outlines potential scenarios and developments influenced by the integration of Bitcoin into the artistic landscape.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bitcoin’s influence on the digital art world is undeniably transformative. The decentralized nature of Bitcoin has revolutionized art transactions, eliminating intermediaries and fostering transparency in the process. The advent of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) has further reshaped digital art ownership, providing a unique and authenticated framework. Bitcoin’s impact extends to the curation of digital art, enhancing artists’ visibility and presenting both challenges and opportunities for the evolving landscape. As we anticipate continued evolution in the Bitcoin-digital art intersection, the article underscores the dynamic relationship between these two realms, paving the way for innovative possibilities. The conclusion encourages readers to embark on a thoughtful exploration of Bitcoin’s multifaceted impact on the ever-expanding landscape of digital art galleries, recognizing the potential for ongoing adaptation and growth in this exciting intersection.

7 in 10 fear the planned digital euro will leave consumers vulnerable to technical glitches and cybercrime

More than seven in ten (73pc) compliance experts in the Irish financial services sector are concerned that the planned digital euro could leave consumers and businesses vulnerable to cybercriminals and technical glitches. While more than six in ten (63pc) compliance experts in the financial sector don’t believe there is a need for a digital euro.

This is according to the findings of a new survey by the Compliance Institute, which polled 175 compliance professionals working primarily in Irish financial services organisations nationwide. The survey examined attitudes towards the digital euro, which has been described by the European Central Bank (ECB) “as an electronic form of cash for the digitalised world”. The ECB started preparatory work on the digital currency in November 2023 with the earliest possible launch date recently mooted as 2026[1].

Privacy fears around the currency also rank highly in the list of potential cons, with more than half (51pc) concerned that there could be issues around data protection and privacy if the digital euro is introduced. However, approximately half of all respondents accepted that the new digi currency may well bring benefits such as lowering the cost of banking and leading to greater convenience and efficiencies in transactions.

Commenting on the survey findings, Michael Kavanagh, CEO of the Compliance Institute said:

“Just 6pc of respondents said they have no concerns about the digital euro – which mean that the remaining 94pc feel some level of unease about the planned new currency. It would seem that the ECB has much work to do to allay fears around it ahead of any launch.”

The Top Five concerns which compliance professionals have about the digital euro, according to the survey, are:

  1. Consumers would be at the mercy of technology and could be unable to access their money in the event of a glitch (73pc expressed this worry)
  2. Its digital nature makes it susceptible to hackers, fraudsters and cyberattacks (73pc)
  3. The potential for consumer confusion, with a likely lack of knowledge on how to use the digital currency (65pc)
  4. It could lead to issues around data protection and privacy (51pc)
  5. It could displace and lead to less availability of cash (50pc)

Mr Kavanagh added:

“The thinking behind the digital euro is that it would give consumers the option to use central bank money in a digital format, complementing banknotes and coins – however, our survey found that there are concerns that the rollout of the currency could in time lead to less availability of cash. There are also clearly fears that consumers could be at a financial loss with this digital currency, particularly in relation to accessing their money in the event of a technical glitch – and potentially falling prey to fraudsters. Interestingly, almost half (47pc) of those surveyed were worried that the digital euro could give more power to tech and fintech companies.”

 

Asked in the survey what they believed the main advantages of the digital euro to be:

  • One in five (20pc) can see no benefits to its introduction
  • Almost six in ten (59pc) believed it would lead to more efficient transactions, with a similar number (56p) stating the convenience of the digital euro would be one of its main advantages.
  • Half believe it will reduce banking costs and be a cheaper way for consumers and businesses to pay for things and for people to exchange money.
  • Only one in four (24pc) felt it would offer a safer alternative to cash and card
  • Less than one in three (30pc) said the digital euro would be less vulnerable than existing currencies to counterfeiting.

Mr Kavanagh added:

“The ECB has said that the digital euro would make people’s lives easier by providing a digital means of payment universally accepted throughout the euro area, for payments in shops, online or from person to person. However, with a ream of avenues already in place for electronic and digital payments, including contactless mobile phone payments and electronic bank payments, it is understandable that so many compliance professionals believe the digital euro is already redundant. This, combined with the extent of concerns around the digital euro, shows that the ECB has a job ahead of itself in convincing the Irish and wider European public that this is a safe, inclusive and easy-to-use currency.”

 

[1] See Interview with Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, on 8 May 2023. Fabio Panetta, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, also estimated a launch date of 2026. Header image credit 

Free Digital Technology Kit for every Primary School in Ireland

Students from Stanhope Street Primary School visited Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) today to celebrate the launch of a landmark educational research project that will see every primary school in Ireland receive a free Digital Technology kit. EDTips – Enabling Digital Technology in Primary School will provide every primary school with free digital technology teaching resources and equipment to prepare for the introduction of the Primary Curriculum Framework during the 2025/2026 academic year. The project, led by CSinc (Computer Science Inclusive) at TU Dublin, has received funding from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and is supported by the University’s industry partners AWS In Communities and Workday.

Running over two years, EDTips will train primary school teachers in a suite of age-appropriate and interactive educational tools, catering to the abilities of all pupils and encouraging them to become confident, creative, and critical users of digital technology. TU Dublin academics with research expertise in Computer Science education will develop comprehensive teaching materials and activities modelled on the Primary Curriculum Framework, while AWS In Communities will supply 3,000 free offline Digital Technology kits, enabling all schools, irrespective of technical infrastructure, geographical location or socio-economics, to fully engage pupils in the curriculum. EDTips is also supported by Workday, a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for finance and human resources. Employing over 2,000 people in Ireland, Workday will provide critical resources to help deliver the programme, including software development, content, design and project management.

Commenting Minister for Education Norma Foley T.D.,said. “EDTips will not only equip primary school teachers to deliver Digital Technology education but also has the transformative ability to spark the imaginations of young minds. This could set the pupils from Stanhope Street Primary School on a trajectory of educational discovery, potentially paving the way for a rewarding career in Ireland’s tech sector.”

Welcoming the Stanhope Street Primary School pupils and their teachers to Grangegorman, TU Dublin’s Vice President for Research and Innovation, Dr Brendan Jennings, said, “Empowering primary school teachers with resources such as EDTips not only enhances their ability to deliver quality STEM education, but also contributes to the overall development of their pupils. This early exposure to STEM concepts has the potential to set students on a path of educational discovery, helping them build a strong foundation for future academic and professional pursuits in digital technology.”

Welcoming the launch of EDTips, Dr Lisa Higgins, Head of Challenge Research, Education & Public Engagement at SFI, commented: “Science Foundation Ireland’s Discover Programme is funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and is designed to create opportunities for broader participation and engagement of the public with STEM. SFI is delighted to support this significant STEM educational programme that builds awareness and confidence in teachers to effectively deliver digital technology in primary school classrooms using fun, hands-on learning.”

AWS Country Lead for Ireland, Neil Morris, said: “These new technology kits will enable teachers in every primary school in Ireland to learn and be curious with coding and empower them further with digital literacy tools ahead of the introduction of Digital Technology curriculum. At AWS Ireland, we are determined to play our part in fostering the next generation of Irish technology leaders and we will continue to look for opportunities to encourage young technology talent and supporting them in their journey through school and into further education.”

Welcoming the EDTips initiative, Victoria MacKechnie, Director of Corporate Affairs and Operations, Workday, said: “Skills are increasingly important in the future of work, which requires competencies for new jobs and roles that are emerging every day. EDTips is an innovative way to further upskill teaching professionals in the latest technology, enabling them in turn to transfer both tech knowledge and skills to their students. This will help ensure pupils are ready for a flourishing skills-based economy”.

Read more: https://www.edtips.ie/

Empowering Voices: VoiceAbility Ushers in New Era of Digital Communication with Sabio Group

VoiceAbility, a leading voice and rights charity supporting vulnerable people for over forty years, has partnered with customer experience experts Sabio Group to implement innovative Amazon Connect and Salesforce technologies.

This digital transformation project has enhanced VoiceAbility’s communication capabilities, improving efficiency and empowering the charity to better serve its clients.

The 13-week implementation overseen by Sabio seamlessly integrated Amazon Connect with the Salesforce Service Cloud Voice and Experience Cloud platforms.

Paul Harding, Commercial Director for Sabio’s Salesforce Practice, said: “VoiceAbility handles incredibly sensitive cases on a daily basis. Their previous telephony system was deemed no longer fit for purpose and so they wanted to implement leading-edge solutions from a trusted partner who understood their ethos – Sabio ticked those boxes.

“With integrated voice, chat and voicemail functionality, single sign-on security, and AI-powered analytics, VoiceAbility can now detect caller sentiment, spot trends and respond faster to deliver more meaningful support.”

In a recently published case study by Sabio, key features of the project included:

    • Intelligent voicemail routing and transcription for quick, context-rich responses
    • Callback queue buster to promptly return calls, improving customer service
    • Voice automation flows with caller history for personalised conversations
    • Sentiment analysis providing insights into emotions behind calls
    • Custom caller ID mapping attuned to individual needs
    • Enhanced disaster recovery protocols ensuring uninterrupted service
    • Powerful cloud-based reporting for data-driven decisions

Danny Seaborne, Managing Director for the UK & South Africa at Sabio Group, added: “We’re delighted to collaborate with forward-thinking partners like VoiceAbility.

“With niche expertise across customer engagement technologies, we understand the unique requirements of non-profits managing sensitive communications. This implementation showcases the immense potential of human-centric digital transformation to drive meaningful progress.”

The switch has already shown tremendous results for VoiceAbility, including:

    • 5% increase in service level performance
    • 20-second reduction in average handling times
    • Faster reporting for real-time operational adjustments
    • 50% less staff turnover owing to simplified systems
    • Enhanced staff onboarding and training capabilities

As VoiceAbility continues its ambitious mission of inclusive societal change, this new chapter of intuitive, integrated communication promises more efficient operations and deeper human connections – ultimately translating to better lives for the people they serve.

You can read Sabio and Voiceability’s case study in full here.

Local digital projects invited to enter the .ie Digital Town Awards 2024

.ie, the trusted national registry for over 330,000 .ie domain names, has announced that entries are now open for the .ie Digital Town Awards 2024.  Now in their 4th year, the .ie Digital Town Awards shine a light on local projects that have a digital element. Town groups, community organisations, regional and national collaboration projects and individual businesses across the country are invited to enter. There is a total prize fund of €60,000 across ten categories and the closing date for entries is Friday 1st March with winners being announced at a Gala awards ceremony in Sheraton Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath on Friday 24th May 2024.

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary TD, welcomed the launch of this year’s awards, ‘Not only do these awards highlight the benefits and possibilities of digital transformation in Ireland, they are fundamental to promoting awareness, use and understanding of digital offerings for our communities, for businesses and for our citizens the length and breadth of the country. Since the foundation of the awards, it has been inspiring to see such positive change brought about in local communities across the country through digital innovation.’

Oonagh McCutcheon, National Director of the .ie Digital Town Awards Programme said ‘The .ie Digital Town Awards create a real sense of pride for towns and communities, big and small, that are making massive leaps with digital technologies. We saw a 15% increase in the number of entries we received in 2023 compared to 2022 and as we enter the fourth year of the awards it is incredibly encouraging to see entries coming in from towns and villages the length and breadth of the country’.   

‘We are also delighted to welcome our new pillar sponsor Square on board this year, a digital-first organisation which shares our passion for empowering small businesses and organisations to thrive online. Square joins our long-term supporter and category sponsor, Western Development Commission.

Business technology platform Square has been unveiled as the awards pillar sponsor for 2024. Square allows business owners to sell anywhere, work more efficiently, to support and empower small businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive online. Speaking about the announcement, John O’Beirne, Executive Director of Square in Europe, said ‘We are delighted to be partnering with .ie for this year’s Digital Town Awards. At Square we believe in the power of technology to bring about positive change, from small projects to large companies. We want to help all types of businesses and communities succeed on their own terms and look at what’s possible. Sponsoring the .ie Digital Town Awards allows us to help recognise and reward this digital success in all of its forms.’

The ten categories in the 2024 .ie Digital Town Awards are:

  • Digital Education
  • Digital Tourism
  • Digital Community
  • Digital Business
  • Agri-tech
  • Digital Sustainability
  • Digital Newcomer
  • Digital Rising Star
  • Digital Change Maker
  • Digital Local Hero

Digital Sustainability, Agri-Tech and Digital Newcomer categories were new additions to the awards in 2023.

The Digital Sustainability category recognises projects which harness digital transformation, such as enhanced connectivity and the Internet of Things (IoT), to improve the environment and support sustainable business operations. The winner in 2023 was Hollymount, Mayo with Eco-powered Cabinets: Two eco-powered cabinets were installed on Croagh Patrick, to securely store defibrillators and life-saving medications to treat cardiac arrests.

The Agri-tech category recognises projects which aim to help the farming community by using digital technology to improve efficiency and profitability. Clonmel, Tipperary were the winners of this category in 2023 with the Smart Skills for Farming Communities project. The initiative was developed to help farmers use new technologies to make their work easier, save time and money as well as improving the sustainability and profitability of their farm. 60% of farmers report that there are barriers to digital training and supports. This project addresses that problem by providing very practical digital training in areas such as soil fertility technology; grassland management technology; tech for time and labour saving; and farm management systems and useful Apps. This project was also selected as the overall winner in 2023.

The Digital Newcomer category is for projects at the early stage of development that are harnessing the benefits of digital to promote a local initiative. Portumna, Galway were winners of this category in 2023 with a project to give the gift of stories to future generations by recording Family Histories.

The 2023 winner case study videos are available to view here.

The Awards are open to community organisations, town groups, regional or national collaboration projects and individual businesses who can demonstrate positive impacts of digital strategies. All categories are now open to businesses that use a digital element within their service.

Closing date for entry submissions is Friday 1st March 2024.

 

Esri’s digital mapping system delivers savings of €5.8M to Fibrus in NI broadband rollout

Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is today announcing that its digital mapping system has delivered savings of up to €5.8 million to broadband provider Fibrus as it accelerates broadband rollout in Northern Ireland. Fibrus is providing connectivity to 85,000 rural homes and businesses under the Northern Ireland Executive’s initiative, Project Stratum.

Using its ArcGIS technology, Esri Ireland designed a suite of integrated solutions to streamline processes throughout the entire lifecycle of planning, constructing, and maintaining fibre networks. The technology is improving cost control for Fibrus, as ArcGIS calculates precise costs for new infrastructure plans and optimises the number of potential customers in project areas.

The solution is transforming Fibrus’ operations and resulting in time savings of 500 hours per week for Fibrus, its contractors, and subcontractors. It has enhanced process efficiency by at least 50% and is enabling the company to maintain a steady rate of over 5,000 rural home and business connections every month.

Wherever they’re working, over 1,000 field operatives can view plans on digital maps, collect survey data, record cable and pole installations, and flag any issues. Data is shared in real-time to a central dashboard which is improving workflows and increasing collaboration. This has also improved data accuracy, streamlined time-intensive tasks, and decreased misinformation-related issues, enabling Fibrus to meet targets significantly faster.

Issues such as cut cables or storm-damaged poles are now promptly identified, simplifying maintenance planning and facilitating rapid repairs. Dependence on paper-based maps has been eliminated, and Fibrus also uses data collected and shared via ArcGIS online to validate contractor invoices and approve payments based on the latest construction progress information.

Riain Garcia, Senior Manager, GIS, Fibrus, said: “Esri’s system provides far greater visibility of what is happening on the ground, helping us to improve financial control, traceability, and accountability. We have already seen significant cost savings by using ArcGIS to reduce build revisits and by using dashboards to track progress instead of manual processes.”

“I don’t think we would have accomplished the exceptionally high number of connections needed for Project Stratum as fast as we did without ArcGIS. It gives everyone a one-stop shop for information on everything to do with Fibrus projects.”

Philip McLaughlin, Client Manager, Esri Ireland, said: “Fibrus is paving the way towards a more connected future. We’re thrilled to see our technology making a real difference in bringing connectivity to people and businesses throughout Northern Ireland. ArcGIS is a powerful tool which is not only impacting positively on Fibrus and its operations, but is ultimately benefiting and connecting more communities.”

Digital Car Theft: How to Safeguard Your Vehicle

In today’s rapidly advancing technological era, cars have become a crucial part of the digital landscape, integrating connectivity with convenience. Vehicle security has dramatically changed with the introduction of keyless entry devices and smart technology. However, these developments have also brought new challenges, with thieves using sophisticated technology to break into cars. As auto locksmith services like Locksmiths Locator point out, the advancement of vehicle technology is paralleled by car thieves’ ability to adapt to digital innovations and exploit vulnerabilities. In this article, we will examine the current tactics used by car thieves, focusing on the risks associated with keyless entry systems and other technological methods.

The Signal Relaying Method

Car key fobs, Radio Frequency identification systems known as RFIDs, and smartphones emit short-range signals detected by vehicles whenever they are in range. Today’s cars are programmed in such a way as to recognize certain signals for unlocking doors and starting the engine. Thieves up-to-date with this technology can rely on wireless transmitters to intercept these signals from the original key and relay them to the car. A thief can open the car door by standing next to the vehicle, relaying such a signal, and simply touching the door handle. 

While the procedure is rather complex and does not always work, locksmiths and car security experts warn of it revealing itself as a serious threat today. To lower the risk of falling victim to it, always keep your keys out of sight and, most importantly, out of range of the vehicle. We recommend using special signal-blocking boxes, aluminum tins, or protected wallets that act against signal relaying.

The Signal Jamming Method

A skilled thief with knowledge of signal transmitters and contemporary security technology might attempt to disrupt the signals sent to your vehicle. They can do this using transmitters that operate on the same frequency as your key fob. To counteract this, it’s wise to verify if your car’s lights are off routinely, the mirrors are folded, or the indicators are flashing. Also, listen for the distinct sound or alert that confirms the car is locked properly. Not ensuring that your car is locked could allow a transmitter near the car or key fob to interfere with the lock signals, leaving the vehicle unlocked.

The Car Security App Tampering Method

You can turn a spare smartphone running on Android into additional protection for your vehicle; all you need to do is install a dedicated car security app into the phone and place the device inside the car, out of view. This unique alarm system will alert you if your car is hit, clamped, vandalized, or stolen while stationary. All the information, along with your vehicle’s GPS and GMS location and data regarding the battery status, will be sent to you via email.

This is one example of how car lock systems and mobile apps interact. Many car manufacturers allow owners to unlock their vehicles using dedicated mobile apps they create remotely. By signing up and pairing the vehicle to the new mobile app account, car owners can easily lock and unlock the doors, look for their stolen car in case of theft, access crucial car maintenance information, receive recall alerts, start the engine, and even sound the horn.

A thief who can access your mobile app logins or smartphone can also get relatively easy access to your vehicle. This is why updating your car system and mobile app is mandatory to prevent software vulnerabilities. While some car manufacturers enable owners to download and install updates using USB drives, others ask for the installation of modem or SIM cards for automated system upgrades. We advise you to pay special attention to the risk of malicious software containing backdoors when downloaded without additional security measures.

The Blank Key Fob Reprogramming Method

Most vehicles over ten years old come equipped with a standard diagnostic port in the front footwell. If a thief gains entry into such a vehicle by picking the locks, breaking a window, or employing the relay signal method, they can also access this port. Once inside, they can start the car by pushing a button. Using advanced equipment, they can boot up the vehicle’s software and effortlessly reprogram a blank key fob.

Final Thoughts

The methods of car theft used by today’s car thieves have evolved side by side with the advancement of vehicle security systems. Sadly, no matter how evolved a technology might be, it cannot guarantee flawless protection against a professional theft attempt. However, combining several security measures can enhance vigilance and provide a more robust defense against these incidents.

Cyber4AM highlights the need to fortify digital defences for Ireland’s manufacturing industry to maintain its global edge

For Ireland to maintain its cutting edge advantages as a world class location for the manufacturing industry and leading exporter of a range of high end and sophisticated products it needs to double down on all aspects of security, especially in operational technology security according to the Cyber4AM project at the ISA Ireland OT Cybersecurity conference.

Manufacturing is the backbone of the Irish and northern Irish economies, with both regions having clusters of world class manufacturing operations in sectors such as biopharmaceuticals, electronics, medical device technology, and food production. The total value of products manufactured in Ireland in 2022 was €132 billion and manufacturing is consistently one the strongest growth sectors in Northern Ireland’s dynamic economy.

Central to preserving and advancing this competitive edge is building on the foundations of a robust cybersecurity ecosystem for Ireland’s manufacturing industry, particularly in light of findings that in 2022 the manufacturing sector had one of the highest share of cyber-attacks among the leading industries worldwide.

As factories continue to digitise, moving towards automation, this brings increasing security risks for the Information Technology (IT) environment, which manages data and information, and the operational technology (OT) environment, which manages physical systems such as machinery or critical infrastructure.

A dedicated one-day conference provided attendees with a comprehensive overview of cyber security trends and challenges for the manufacturing sector in operational technology (OT) cybersecurity.

At the conference, Cyber Ireland and NI Cyber held a workshop on Cybersecurity for Advanced Manufacturing & Industry 4.0, to discuss the research findings of the Cyber4AM project. It is funded by InterTrade Ireland’s Synergy programme which aims to scale cross-border collaboration in the manufacturing sector to accelerate innovation, cluster development and knowledge sharing.

It found that small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector have established roles responsible for cyber security and have conducted cyber risk assessments, with a significant percentage having business continuity plans.

However, there are areas for improvement with the need for increased cyber security awareness and training, adoption of certifications and standards, and for a comprehensive cyber security strategy for the business. It was also found a need for training in OT cyber security.

Speaking at the one-day conference, Eoin Byrne, Cluster Manager at Cyber Ireland, said “The Cyber4AM project has highlighted the increasing importance of cyber security to the manufacturing sector in Ireland, in particular for SMEs. This is also an opportunity for cyber security solution providers in Ireland and Northern Ireland with the potential for a more integrated All-Island cyber security market.”

Gillian Colan-O’Leary, Programme Manager with NI Cyber, said “Cyber4AM is at the forefront of fostering cross-border and cross-cluster collaboration by connecting cyber security companies with advanced manufacturing firms in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

“Our mission is to fortify the digital defence of the manufacturing industry, promoting innovation and resilience through strategic partnerships,” added Colan-O’Leary

Alison Currie, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at InterTradeIreland commented, InterTradeIreland’s Synergy programme supports knowledge sharing and collaboration between the Irish and Northern Irish manufacturing sectors to accelerate innovation.

“This research will benefit advanced manufacturing companies across the island of Ireland to improve their cyber security preparedness, support their digitalisation process and reduce the risk of cyber attacks. It will also create new business opportunities for cyber security companies in Ireland and Northern Ireland,” Currie said.

Expert speakers at the ISA Ireland Section OT Cybersecurity Conference 2023 included Ita O’Farrell, Head of NCSE Compliance, National Cyber Security Centre, Philip Westbroek, OT Security Officer of Enexis  the Netharland’s regional grid operator, Carlos Buenano, Chief Technical Officer for OT, Armis, a leading asset intelligence platform, Jacky Fox, Europe Security Lead, Accenture, Katie McCarthy, Head of Security, Uisce Éireann and Donal Óg Cusack, Senior Engineering Manager, DePuy Synthes who engaged in some of the biggest topics and issues of the day including the impact of EU regulations, OT Cyber security standards, and securing critical infrastructure.

New Irish multi-brand no-fees digital gift card – OptionsCard the Christmas gift of choice

The new multi-brand digital gift card, OptionsCard, is the perfect gift this Christmas. OptionsCard was created to provide a world-class gifting experience, free from fees and fuss and with an always visible live balance in your mobile wallet. The multi-choice OptionsCard can be redeemed for more than 60 premium brands such as Brown Thomas, Ikea and Ticketmaster. OptionsCard allows people to easily share or re-gift part of their gift card. To find out more visit www.OptionsCard.ie 

An iReach consumer sentiment survey of over 1,000 adults nationwide commissioned by OptionsCard, revealed that almost 4 in 10 (37%) would share their last gift card value of €20 with a family member and 31% would share the last €20 on their gift card with their partner. The survey also revealed that 62% of consumers see a gift card as a special treat, preferring to spend it on something that they would not normally buy, such as a premium product or experience.  

OptionsCard holders will have access to exclusive special offers and promotions from retail brand partners.