Tag: domains

Climb appointed Sophos distribution partner for the Irish market

Climb Channel Solutions, (“Climb” or the “Company”), an international specialty technology distributor and wholly owned subsidiary of Climb Global Solutions, Inc. , today announces a distribution party tnership with cybersecurity vendor, Sophos for the Irish market.

Unique to this partnership, Climb will be the only authorised Irish distributor to offer the Sophos Threat Profile assessment service to customers. This service highlights exposed credentials, suspicious domains, dark web exposure, and internet-facing vulnerabilities, and enables businesses to prioritise remediation and reduce risk.

Ireland’s cybersecurity sector is buoyant and growing 13.4% and generating revenue of €2.7bn according to a 2025 report by Cyber Ireland and NI Cyber. Climb will facilitate direct access to Sophos Central, one of the world’s leading cybersecurity platforms, an adaptive AI-native platform that intercepts attacks before they occur.

Climb will distribute the entire Sophos suite of products including the managed detection and response (MDR) service that eliminates threats at speed, alongside defence across endpoint, firewall, email and cloud.

These solutions will be backed by Climb’s reputation for speed, emerging tech expertise, and strong partner investment, working with the Sophos reseller and managed service provider (MSP) landscape.

Recent Climb research* highlights growing AI maturity across organisations, creating increased demand for AI-enabled cybersecurity services. For example, more than half (53%) of organisations have a clear AI strategy, and 55% are working with technology vendors on their AI journey. Against this backdrop, Climb expects Irish businesses to continue to adapt and embed AI security solutions across their cloud and network environments.

Commenting on the distribution partner announcement, Brian Davis, VP of Sales UK&I, Climb states: “Ireland’s cybersecurity landscape is evolving at pace with recent research showing growth of 13% per annum. Threats are becoming more sophisticated, and customer expectations are rising. Cybersecurity remains a key strategic growth area for Climb, and we are continuously looking to expand our portfolio in Ireland.  Extending our successful relationship with Sophos into Ireland is a pivotal moment as we enhance our cybersecurity portfolio.

“As Irish organisations advance their AI capabilities at an unprecedented rate, Irish businesses must secure hybrid environments while embracing AI and digital transformation. As a dedicated Sophos distributor in Ireland, we’re bringing world-class cybersecurity, genuine partner support, and the kind of speed and access that helps you move fast and grow confidently.”

Jason Ellis, VP Channel Sales EMEA, Sophos comments: “Sophos is a global leader in cybersecurity, offering a comprehensive portfolio of AI-powered cybersecurity technologies. Coupled with its advisory services, these capabilities proactively reduce risk for organisations. Expanding our presence in the Irish market is a reflection of the great relationship we hold with Climb in North America. Climb’s strong Irish channel ecosystem will allow us to expand our Irish market footprint, enhancing our ability to deliver AI-powered cybersecurity solutions to Irish businesses.

“We recognise Climb as an innovative leader, particularly in areas such as AI, where they’re providing unique channel solutions through their Skyward Project and AI Academy***. These programmes help partners understand where AI and security intersect, delivering differentiated, yet complementary services to our Sophos portfolio.

“Climb’s knowledge and understanding of the Irish market, along with their ongoing investment, help us better support our partners and customers, enabling them to improve cyber resilience and respond effectively to emerging threats.”

This partnership enhances Climb’s AI cybersecurity offering in Ireland, building on its long-standing cybersecurity pedigree. Climb has a long track record as a distributor of cybersecurity solutions, working with some of the world’s leading security vendors and an extensive network of Irish resellers.

Climb solutions include cloud security, backup and recovery, endpoint management, firewall and network security, and application security. Through this Sophos partnership, Climb enhances their cybersecurity offering enabling partners to accelerate growth by combining strong cybersecurity expertise, with a more personalised service approach alongside innovative programmes and events, including the upcoming AI and Security Day.

Cyber attacks hit fifth of firms as ‘online NCT’ launched

Almost one in five of Ireland’s top companies have experienced significant cyber attacks in the last two years, new data shows

The findings come as national domain registry .IE launches Ireland’s first Digital Trust Mark.

Described as an NCT for your online identity, websites and emails carrying the distinctive wolfhound symbol will give customers confidence that businesses of all sizes are operating to the highest digital standards.

“If you have an online presence, you can now be assessed on DigitalTrust.ie in just a few clicks,” said Louise McKeown Doogan, Chief Growth Officer at .IE.

“Once an organisation applies, their website, email and domain setup is assessed using a proprietary scoring evaluation that checks against industry-defined best practice.

“These checks confirm that digital fundamentals are correctly configured, responsibly managed and set up to support trust and reliability online.

“Once you receive your Digital Trust Score, you will either be entitled to carry the mark or you will have clear next steps to reach the required standard.

“We live in an age where some ransomware companies now have customer care departments, and the online health of the nation needs to improve as a consequence.”

The research found that 17pc of Ireland’s key organisations have experienced a significant cyber attack since 2024.

Conducted by Amárach on behalf of .IE, it surveyed 354 essential Irish firms in January.

It follows last week’s Garda data that fraud-related crimes more than doubled in the last 12 months, up 137pc – mainly due to bank scams, phishing and smishing.

“Our findings are concerning, particularly when we know phishing scams (60pc) and the exploitation of system weaknesses (21.3pc) are the most common ways attackers gain access,” said Ms McKeown Doogan.

“An online presence that appears to function may not always demonstrate the authenticity and trustworthiness customers expect.

“Until now there has been no visible way for consumers to know that a website meets a recognised standard – and no way for businesses or organisations to signal that they do.

“The mark signals that they demonstrate authenticity, responsible digital practice and a trustworthy online experience.

“We hope it will become a digital equivalent of the NCT and an essential part of interacting online in Ireland within the next year.”

The Digital Trust Mark is not just for .ie domains but is open to .com and other domains used by Irish organisations.

Applicants will receive a grade by the next working day and if an A-rating is achieved, businesses can display the mark on their website or in their email signature for the following 12 months.

Domains that do not reach an A-rating will be given a detailed outline of what and how they can improve.

See digitaltrust.ie for more information.

.ie celebrates 25 years powering Ireland online

.ie, the trusted national registry for over 330,000 domain names, has marked its 25th anniversary with a celebration at the EPIC Museum in Dublin, attended by Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan T.D., CEO David Curtin and key stakeholders from Ireland’s digital and business community.
Over the past 25 years, .ie has mirrored Ireland’s digital transformation. In 2000, just 20,000 .ie domains were registered. Today, that figure stands at over 330,000, a 2,000% increase demonstrating the how the .ie domain has become the quiet backbone of Irish small business success and consumer trust over the last 25 years, supporting businesses to thrive during turbulent economic times and global pandemics. Household internet access has also grown from 20.5% in 2000 to 94% today, making online connectivity standard in almost every home and an online presence an expectation of Irish consumers.
.ie is the only domain space reserved exclusively for those with an Irish connection. This level of protection underpins consumer confidence. Independent research shows that 79% of Irish consumers prefer shopping on a .ie website, recognising the trust and security it represents.
As part of the anniversary, .ie launched .ie Gives Back, a 25-day charity initiative running from 19th September to 13th October where €1 from every .ie domain registration and renewal will be donated equally to five charities: An Cosán, DSPCA, Make-A-Wish Ireland, Focus Ireland and UNICEF Ireland.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan comments,
“For 25 years, .ie has been at the heart of Ireland’s digital journey making it a cornerstone of how we do business, connect as communities and shop online with confidence. For small businesses in particular, .ie has been a leveller, allowing them to compete with larger players on a trusted, distinctly Irish platform. Today, it is as vital to our economy and communities as any other utility we depend on.”
David Curtin, CEO of .ie, adds,
 
“In 25 years, .ie has grown from a niche digital identity into critical national infrastructure. Today, more than 330,000 .ie domains carry the trust and security that Irish consumers expect. This milestone is about looking forward as much as back; at a time of uncertainty online and in the wider world, .ie will continue to provide a safe, reliable foundation for Ireland’s digital future ensuring that businesses and communities can thrive online for the next 25 years and beyond. It has been a privilege to witness and contribute to this evolution. I am proud to be part of a journey that has helped shape Ireland’s digital landscape, and I am excited for what the next chapter will bring.”
Looking ahead, and with the rise of AI, automation and evolving cyber threats, .ie will continue to focus on ensuring Ireland’s businesses, communities and citizens can thrive in a trusted and resilient online environment.
For more information visit weare.ie

Make a Quantum Leap in Computational Capabilities

The world of computing is advancing at an extraordinary pace, and businesses everywhere are working to keep up. While quantum computing (QC) is on track to revolutionize technology, it isn’t poised to replace classical computing just yet. Instead, a Hybrid Quantum-Classical Computing (HQCC) approach, where quantum processors complement classical computers to tackle the most complex challenges, seems to be the way forward.

John Roese, Global CTO & Chief AI Officer – Dell Technologies tells us more 

According to IDC, the global quantum computing market is projected to reach $8.9 billion by 2028, highlighting the increasing demand for quantum-enhanced solutions. But what does this mean for businesses today, and how can they begin leveraging this emerging synergy?

Quantum Computing: The Promise Is Real but So Are the Challenges

Quantum computing isn’t just about scientific theory anymore. It’s already being tested and applied in some of the most demanding industries. Its unparalleled ability to evaluate multiple possibilities simultaneously makes it an ideal choice for specific domains – from accelerating drug discovery to enabling faster financial risk modelling. What makes it powerful is its ability to consider many possibilities at once, making it ideal for problems that involve many variables and outcomes.

But today’s quantum machines are still in their early stages of development, characterized by limited qubit counts and relatively low fidelity rates. Systems will require significant improvement to achieve practical applications. Additionally, the control mechanisms required to implement instructions are prone to errors due to the intricate interplay of quantum phenomena, making it challenging to maintain coherence and accuracy. The complexity of quantum algorithms and the need for extensive error correction tools, make it challenging to scale up qubit counts and improve overall computational power.

Moreover, the quantum computers’ limited capabilities in solving optimization problems and machine learning tasks, which are critical applications in many fields, highlight the pressing need for HQCC approaches that can leverage the strengths of both paradigms. By combining the power of quantum processors with the stability and reliability of classical systems, HQCC offers the best of both worlds.

Preparing for Quantum: How Businesses Can Start Today

It’s important to understand that HQCC isn’t an alternative to current HPC operations, but an enhancement. Despite its potential, HQCC comes with some critical hurdles that need to be addressed, such as software interoperability, shortage of talent and evolving hardware advancements. Keeping that in mind, businesses that start exploring hybrid solutions now will be better positioned as quantum capabilities advance.

Here’s a simple three-step approach to get started:

  1. Discover:Begin with learning and experimentation. Quantum computing is an emerging field, so the first stage of preparing your business is to do some foundational research. Once you’re ready to experiment, consider using emulation for developing, porting and optimizing code for quantum computing on a classical infrastructure, avoiding major upfront costs.
  1. Identify:Not every problem is suited to quantum. You wouldn’t want to use it to do any kind of calculation that has one exact answer. For example, you shouldn’t use it to calculate your tax bill or process your payroll. On the other hand, it can be very good at solving optimization problems. The key is to look for situations that are difficult to model because of a large number of variables. You also want use cases that are intrinsic to your business, where improving operations would have a large impact on your bottom line.
  1. Deploy:Enable frictionless deployment into production and real business benefits. HQCC offers a flexible approach to deploying quantum computing solutions into production. By combining classical processing with the power of quantum computing, Hybrid Quantum-Classical Systems (HQCS) enable developers to create and test quantum algorithms in a familiar classical environment before deploying them on expensive quantum hardware. That means you can achieve frictionless deployment into production, accelerating your entry into the quantum computing era while minimizing the risks of adopting a new technology.

The Intersection of HQCC & AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing are increasingly converging. As AI models become more complex and classical systems begin to hit performance and energy limits, the potential for hybrid technologies like HQCC, which combines the capabilities of both AI and quantum is immense.

AI enhances quantum computing by:

  • Optimizing workloads: AI can intelligently allocate tasks between classical and quantum processors.
  • Improving algorithm efficiency: AI can refine quantum algorithms to run more efficiently on quantum hardware.
  • Accelerating development: AI enables progress in quantum computing without relying on dedicated quantum hardware.

In turn, HQCC can advance AI itself by:

  • Providing unparalleled compute power: Quantum computers can handle complex computations that classical systems struggle with, enabling AI models to scale in domains such as material science and drug discovery.
  • Offering increased energy efficiency: By leveraging both classical and quantum processing, HQCC can deliver improved energy efficiency for AI tasks.

This two-way relationship creates a synergy between AI and quantum computing, boosting the performance of each field and opening new possibilities across industries as they continue to mature.

Looking Ahead: A Smart Step Towards the Future

The hybrid computing era is not just about technology – it’s about transformation. Imagine a world where problems that used to take years to solve are now tackled in days or even hours. With the seamless integration of HQCC, this vision is quickly becoming reality. For forward-thinking enterprises, implementing hybrid solutions is the path to unlocking long-term growth, efficiency, and innovation.