Tag: #Irish

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.

Irish leaders largely unprepared for AI future & uncertain about economic future, IMI reveals

Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Neale Richmond TD joined the Irish Management Institute today (IMI) at its National Leadership Conference, on the same day it unveiled new research revealing a skills shortage among senior business leaders preparing for Ireland’s AI-enabled future.

The ‘IMI Leadership Barometer’, launched at the National Leadership Conference, surveyed senior business leaders across Ireland from September to October 2023. The research provides key insights into the attitudes and priorities of senior decision makers as they navigate a rapidly evolving business environment and the emergence of disruptive new technologies.

First held over 70 years ago, the National Leadership Conference brings together senior business leaders from across Ireland to explore how leaders can learn, innovate and lead in a rapidly changing environment. Keynote speakers at the event include Bruce Daisley, a former VP EMEA at Twitter and international consultant on workplace culture, Deborah Threadgold, General Manager at IBM Ireland, and Ronan O’Gara, Head Coach at La Rochelle.

The researched unveiled at the conference show that leaders are unsure about the trajectory of the economy. 47% of business leaders are uncertain whether the economy will grow in the next 12 months. With inflationary pressures still strong and costs increasing, a further 36% of leaders believe the economy is likely to contract in the next year.

Digital transformation was another key area with only 1 in 4 business leaders feeling they have the right skills and capabilities to harness the potential of AI within their organisation. The main barrier to navigating an AI future was found to be uncertainty (39%), indicating a pervasive lack of knowledge in the business community regarding the potential applications and impact of this technology.

Lack of capabilities to drive change (36%) was also identified as a major obstacle, with leaders believing their workforce lacks critical skills to enable digital transformation. Such findings reflect the growing importance for leaders in upskilling and reskilling every level of their organisation – from the leadership level down – in order to harness the power of innovation.

Although senior leaders are prioritising innovation, conflicting priorities (41%) and organisational culture (27%) were found to be critical innovation challenges. However, the importance of strong leadership in overcoming these barriers and fostering a culture of innovation is clear: 48% of survey respondents stated that strong leaders who foster and champion innovation is critical for innovation success.

Looking ahead, the majority of leaders felt overcoming skills and talent shortages (59%) to be the key factor for future business success – a persistent challenge in an exceptionally tight labour market. Leading digital transformation (27%) was also deemed critical for future success unsurprisingly, with leaders keen to harness the potential productivity boom created by AI and other emerging technologies. Only 9% of business leaders consider advancing the ESG agenda to be critical for future success.

Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Neale Richmond TD commented: “Business leaders across Ireland have proven their resilience in navigating challenges over the past years, from the emergence from the Covid-19 pandemic, to skills shortages and rising costs. As the business environment continues to evolve, it is crucial that firms and workers are well equipped to embrace the opportunities presented by new technologies such as AI.

“Today’s gathering of business leaders across Ireland at the National Leadership Conference provides an opportunity to explore how leaders can successfully harness the opportunities presented by new technologies and use them to empower their organisations for the future. This includes re-training and up-skilling workers to ensure they are capable of using these new technologies. By working closely together, government and business can enhance the competitiveness of Irish businesses and develop a thriving, resilient and future-proof enterprise economy.”

Shane O’Sullivan, interim CEO of the IMI, said: “The IMI Leadership Barometer provides an important insight into how senior leaders are responding to emerging technologies and a changing economic environment.

“With ongoing advances in AI and disruptive digital technologies, the fact that only 25% of business leaders feel they have the necessary skills in place to support these changes is of significant concern. Top-down leadership is critical for driving this fundamental transformation of how we work. Otherwise, we cannot harness the powerful productivity gains of AI and other digital technologies. Business leaders must consider a lifelong learning approach to equip themselves with the right skills, capabilities and knowledge.

“It is reassuring to see almost half of senior leaders in Ireland recognise the importance of their role in driving a thriving culture of innovation within their organisation. Leaders must develop a culture of innovation by acting as role models in the development of ideas, while fostering collaboration and creativity between different teams and departments throughout their organisation.

“Celebrating 70 years since its first edition, the National Leadership Conference provides important insights for business leaders across the themes of Learn, Innovate, Lead. By implementing the guidance shared by our expert speakers and research findings, senior leaders can enhance their leadership skills and set their organisation on the path to success in the year ahead.”

Ørsted secures solar and wind renewable energy contracts under Irish RESS 3 auction

Ørsted has secured two contracts in the Irish Government’s third onshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 3) auction. The approved Ørsted projects were the 81 MW Garreenleen Solar Farm in Carlow, and the 43.2 MW Farranrory Onshore Wind Farm in Tipperary. 

Commenting on the provisional results of the RESS 3 auction, Kieran White, Senior Vice President of Onshore in Region Europe at Ørsted, said: “With a combined output of 124 MW, these projects will assist in driving down the cost of electricity compared to fossil fuel generation and contribute to Ireland’s overall energy independence while meeting our value creation targets. We expect to deliver the projects before 2030 within the RESS 3 timelines.”  

 A total of 24 onshore wind and solar projects, including Ørsted’s two projects, cleared in the RESS 3 auction at an average strike price of EUR 100.47 per MWh.

Ørsted’s Irish headquarters are based in Cork City, where it employs over 100 people. Ørsted currently operates 378 MW of onshore wind across the island of Ireland, producing enough power for over 230,000 homes. Ørsted recently announced a partnership with ESB to jointly develop an Irish offshore wind portfolio and a partnership with Terra Solar to develop 400MW of solar energy.  

Ranked as one of the world’s most sustainable energy companies, Ørsted has over 5.7 GW of onshore renewables in operation, under construction or consented across the United States and Europe.  

Google-led initiative to support Irish SMEs returns for second year

Google, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices are renewing their partnership to help upskill Irish SMEs by launching the 2023 You’re The Business competition. This initiative will reward businesses across Ireland that have demonstrated a commitment to digital at different stages of their journey, from those who have launched a website through to those who are just starting to export.

SMEs will be invited to submit a video no longer than two minutes in duration detailing what their business means to them as well as an example of how they have used digital to enhance their business. Entries are open now until October 31st 2023.

The successful SMEs selected by a panel of established judges, will receive a digital support package from Google which includes a €1,000 Google ads package as well as expert mentorship across a range of technical areas that will help them to develop their business. An additional prize of a video creation kit will also be awarded to one SME that has demonstrated great efforts in promoting their business online.

Cera Ward, Managing Director at Google Ireland  said: “Google is committed to supporting Irish SMEs upskill. We were so inspired by last year’s entries that really showed how SMEs strived to get their business online and how being online has helped them to succeed and grow, both domestically and further afield. We are excited to launch this year’s competition and look forward to learning about more SMEs, their challenges, and digital ambitions. Google wants to support these companies as they take the next steps on their digital journey.”

John Magee, Chair of Local Enterprise Office Network said: “The digital transformation of Irish businesses is essential for their future success and the Local Enterprise Offices have been to the fore with a range of supports to enable businesses get online and maximise their online presence with the likes of the Trading Online Voucher and our Digital Start programme. We are committed to helping Irish businesses thrive in a digital world, and this initiative in partnership with Google is just one of the many ways we continue to support our clients on their digital journey.”

Speaking at the launch announcement, Caryna Camerino of Camerino Bakery said:  “Our website was designed to be our virtual shop window, allowing customers to customise their ideal celebration cake. Going digital meant that our online sales could continue smoothly while we grew the business and opened our new cafe in the Irish Museum of Modern Art. With Google’s help, we are now looking to reach new customers via online marketing, newsletters, and email campaigns”.

Entries are open now with further information on the You’re the Business competition available at: g.co/yourethebusiness

Deadline

Entries are open until October 31st 2023.

How to enter

SMEs to outline how digital has helped their business so far by answering these questions in a short video (two minutes or less):

  • What does your business mean to you?

  • What one change have you made to grow your business online?

  • What opportunities could growing online create for you?

SMEs will be asked to upload the video to YouTube – details on how to upload are here. All videos must be original content only (including use of music), and should be a maximum of two minutes in duration.

Evaluation

Judges will appoint winners based on the following criteria:

  1. Demonstrate how digital skills have helped their business to grow and succeed.

  2. Have an inspirational story about how getting their business online has helped them to succeed.

As Space Week Ireland prepares for lift off this October, we look at the Irish Space Connection

Space Week is fast approaching, and Irish stargazers are already planning to celebrate their passion for science by attending many of the out of this world events programmed all around the country from 4th to 10th October. Space Week is funded by Science Foundation Ireland and coordinated by MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory.

The festival, which aims to ignite a passion for space science and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts, coincides with World Space Week and is the nation’s premier celebration of space exploration and science. Over the week, the public can explore a space-themed festival of events and a captivating series of workshops, lectures, exhibitions, throughout the country.

Rob O’ Sullivan, National Outreach Coordinator for Space Week Ireland says “It’s no surprise that Irish people are so enthusiastic about Space Week as Ireland has a rich, if somewhat underappreciated, history of contributing to the fields of astronomy and astrophysics. Some of these efforts have marked paradigm shifts that greatly advanced their respective fields.”

Let’s meet just a few of these historical heroes as we get ready to celebrate Ireland’s future in space:


Margaret Lindsay Huggins (1848-1915)

Margaret Lindsay Huggins, along with her husband, William Huggins, contributed to the field of photographic research and astrophotography. Margaret did not receive formal training in astronomy, but instead educated herself using popular science books.

Margaret’s skill with photographic techniques would have proved invaluable to her husband’s research as photography of this type was notoriously difficult at the time.


William Rowan Hamilton (1805-1865)

Hamilton was a highly respected mathematician from Dublin. While he didn’t consider himself to be a physicist, his work has nonetheless proved invaluable to many fields of physics.

He is most famous for ‘Quaternions’ – a system of four-dimensional numbers. Among other uses, quaternions enabled geometric calculations in three-dimensional space. This kind of mathematics is incredibly useful for studying rotation and helps overcome a problem called ‘Gimbal lock’. Gimbal lock occurs when an object has three rotational axes (Think x, y, and z). If two of the axes become aligned, the object can now only rotate along one axis.

This would have been a particular problem for spacecraft, but thanks to Hamilton’s quaternions, missions such as Apollo 11 were able to overcome this problem.


Ernest Thomas Sinton Walton (1903-1995)

Born in Dungarvan, County Waterford, Walton went on to make history with British scientist, John Douglas Cockcroft, by becoming the first person to split the atom.

Walton used high voltages to bombard samples of lithium with fast particles. This process split the lithium atoms, forming lighter helium atoms. According to Walton, these helium atoms resembled “twinkling little stars”.

This also yielded the first experimental confirmation of Einstein’s assertion that E=mc2. The combined mass of the two helium atoms formed by the experiment was less than the mass of the initial lithium atom. The missing mass was released as energy.

This work earned Walton and Cockcroft the 1951 Nobel Prize for Physics.


Annie Scott Dill Maunder (1868-1947)

Annie Maunder was an accomplished astronomer whose contributions to astronomy were made in spite of an environment of overwhelming gender discrimination.

Annie successfully applied to Girton College, Cambridge, but, due to the sexist restrictions of the time, Annie was not allowed to receive the degree that she had earned.

In 1891, she began working at the Greenwich Royal Observatory, where she would meet her collaborator and future husband, Walter. Following their marriage, Annie had to leave her job, as married women were not permitted to work in the public service at the time. Many of Annie’s contributions to popular journals were made in her husband’s name, to circumvent the oppressive gender norms of the day.

The couple recorded the first evidence of sunspot emergence and migration towards the equator over the course of a solar cycle (about 11 years) and, in 1898, Annie photographed the longest coronal streamer on record up to that point.

Annie also contributed to astronomy outreach by writing a popular science book, ‘The Heavens and Their Story’. Though her husband is listed as a co-author, he acknowledges in the preface that Annie did the majority of the work.


Agnes Mary Clerke (1842-1907)

Agnes Mary Clerke, from Skibbereen County Cork, was an astronomer and popular science writer. While Agnes wrote many books, reviews, and articles, her most famous and impactful work was undoubtedly her book ‘A Popular History of Astronomy during the Nineteenth Century’.  Clerke believed that the field of astronomy should be accessible to everyone. She went to far as to say the general public have an “indefeasible right of access” to the subject.

Clerke’s contribution to her field was so profound that, in 2017, the Royal Astronomical Society established the Agnes Clerke Medal for the History of Astronomy or Geophysics. While this is a great accolade, perhaps the most impressive tribute to this great Irish astronomer is the fact that the Clerke crater on the Moon was named in her honour.

We’ve barely scratched the surface of Ireland’s contribution to astronomy and countless other scientific fields. To this day, universities across Ireland continue to study our universe, while Irish scientists and engineers work on ground-breaking space missions with the European Space Agency and beyond.

To this day, universities across Ireland continue to study our universe while Irish scientists and engineers work on ground-breaking space missions with the European Space Agency and beyond. Irelands Space Week celebration runs from October 4th – 10th and it is an ideal time to learn more about Ireland’s deep connection to space. Discover the exciting Space Week programme including events near you online at www.spaceweek.ie

Esri Ireland map tells the story of Irish dance

Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), has created a digital map showcasing the rich history, diverse styles, and vibrant music of Irish dancing to celebrate International Irish Dance Day which falls this Sunday, 17th September.

Using Esri’s ArcGIS digital mapping system, the interactive map charts a captivating journey through the history of Irish dancing, tracing its roots all the way back to 400 AD. Explore pivotal milestones, learn about varying dance styles, hear some lively traditional music, and search for schools to hone your Irish dancing skills across the entire island. From beginners to championship contenders, opportunities to learn and perfect Irish dancing are abound around Ireland.

International Irish Dance Day was launched on 17th September 2020 and is midway to St. Patrick’s Day. It has since grown to unite people worldwide through their shared passion for Irish dance. Each year, individuals and dance schools across the globe showcase their incredible dancing skills by sharing engaging videos online.

This map also comes as preparations are underway to embrace the spirit of Culture Night on Friday, 22nd September. It will bring the timeless allure of Ireland’s traditional dance to life as the country comes together to celebrate culture, creativity and the arts.

Link to maps

How Much Does The Irish Horse Racing Sector Contribute To The Economy?

When we talk about horse racing history, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Most horse racing enthusiasts would say England, which is somewhat correct. But horse racing quickly traveled to Ireland, and now we have a country where horse racing is well embedded into their history and tradition.

Horse racing is a huge sector in Ireland. Just browsing through the winners of the most popular races in history, we can see a huge dominance of Irish horses. Even by checking the 2023 Breeders’ Cup odds by TwinSpires, you can see the horse Mostahdaf might be among the contenders.

Now that we know that horse racing is huge in Ireland, let’s dive into the much deeper water and see how horse racing affects their economy by creating jobs, and generating revenue through breeding racing and tourism.

The Impact of the Horse Racing Sector on the Irish Economy

Let’s get one thing straight from the start. The impact of the horse racing sector on a country’s economy cannot be big right?

Wrong.

Ireland is a country where horse racing is well embedded in its roots and traditions. On top of that, the Ireland horse racing industry expanded internationally thanks to breeding and opening doors for tourism.

Research conducted by Deloitte, suggests that the horse racing industry delivered €2.5bn to the Irish economy in 2022, and created more than 30,000 jobs.

But what does this sector cover?

Well, all horse racing activities. From breeding to training and racing and even ancillary activities that can bring a lot of money.

Even though horse racing is huge in Ireland, this number suggests that the industry is still growing. According to this research, the horse racing industry in Ireland has grown by 34% since 2016 in terms of money, and we have 1,500 horse-related jobs more.

If we take the breeding sector alone, we can see that it generates close to $1 billion annually. Everyone wants to have an Irish champion running in their horse bloodlines, right?

But, these are not the only horse racing sectors generating money for their economy.

Betting

Now, let’s talk turkey—money, that is. Betting is at the heart of horse racing economics. The Irish have a penchant for placing bets, and it’s a symbiotic relationship. 

Punters wager their hopes and dreams, and the industry thrives on the adrenaline-fueled excitement. Whether it’s a cheeky bet at the local pub or a high-stakes wager at the racecourse, money flows like a river.

The betting sector in Ireland is also huge. On-course betting is quite popular and tracks like Leopardstown and Gowran are leading with revenue generated from betting. There is no actual data on the impact of betting on the Irish economy, but we can safely assume that this sector alone generates billions of dollars each year.

Employment and Tourism

Let’s talk about employment, shall we? The Irish horse racing sector is a bustling hub of job opportunities. From stable hands who know the quirks of every horse to trainers with an eagle eye for talent, and not forgetting the unsung heroes in the administrative trenches—thousands earn their daily bread thanks to this vibrant industry. It’s like a job fair but with hay and oats.

Horse racing isn’t just for the locals; it’s a global magnet for tourists. International visitors descend upon Irish racecourses like the Curragh and Punchestown, turning race days into vibrant celebrations of sport and culture. It’s not just about winning bets; it’s about creating unforgettable memories in the heart of Ireland.

Global Ambassadors of the Sport

Last but not least, the power of the horse racing industry in Ireland is boosted by all the Irish trainers, jockeys, and horses that travel to international horse racing events and they bring all their prize purses at home.

Their success amplifies Irish racing reputation and attracts many partnerships from all around the world which also can have a huge impact on the country’s economy.

Following Success of the Care Line, eir Launches Age Friendly Care Services in All Irish Stores

eir, Ireland’s largest telecommunications provider, is extending its Age Friendly Care service to all its stores across Ireland, providing dedicated customer care and technical support service to senior customers, aged 65 and over.

Co-designed in partnership with Age Friendly Ireland and Age Action, the Age Friendly Care initiative is designed based on a bespoke care programme that takes the complexity out of the services and helps build relationships with customers by making everything simple – from bills to mobile data, broadband or landline queries.

Initially consisting of a dedicated phone line for customers aged 65 and over, with a team of 20 dedicated agents specially trained in technical and soft skills, the service has grown in popularity since its introduction, with over 65,000 calls received to the Age Friendly Care line, with 23,500 calls in 2023 alone. The average time spent on each call is 10.5 minutes, and average answer speed of 1m 10s. The bespoke care approach has proven so successful that eir is now introducing in-person Age Friendly Care to their customers, in stores. The Age Friendly Care team was recognised by industry at the CCMA awards in 2022 taking home the prestigious title of Care Team of the Year.

Commenting on the launch of the in-store Age Friendly Care services, Sinead O’Gorman Managing Director of eir’s Customer Operations said: “At eir, our purpose is to connect for a better Ireland. Our experience during the pandemic made it clear that our customers rely on our stores and in person care for more than shopping: we’re here to provide them with care, answer their questions and help overcome connectivity challenges. Based on the success we’ve had with the initiative for almost two years since launch, we’re delighted to bring our hugely popular Age Friendly Care programme to life in our stores. The team in-store has been specially trained to provide care for older customers every day. If a customer feels they want more time to discuss their problem, dedicated in-store time for Age Friendly Care support has been set aside each Tuesday morning between 10 am and 12 pm.”

Susan Brady Managing Director eir Consumer and Small Business commented: “At eir, we are committed to providing our customers with the best possible in person retail experience. Alongside introducing new in-person services such as Age Friendly Care we’re proud to announce this significant €4 million investment in our retail network and unveil our new look stores, which reflect our commitment to offering the best of modern retailing and in-store experiences. We are progressing the transformation work at pace to ensure minimum disruption for our customers.”

eir’s ‘age friendly’ care line can be reached on 1800 252 252 and will be accessible between the hours of 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. If an older person wishes to nominate a friend or family member to manage their account on their behalf, this nominee can work with the age-friendly care team to resolve any issues. Age friendly support is available in all eir’s stores every day, with a dedicated slot from 10am to 12pm on Tuesdays for queries that may take a bit longer.

GoMoWorld Adds 10 more Destination Plans, Connecting Irish Travellers to the World

GoMoWorld, a mobile app that provides international data through eSIMs, revolutionising the way Irish travellers stay connected abroad abroad, adds ten more destination plans, including Belize, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, French Antilles, French Polynesia, further expanding its global coverage.

According to the GoMoWorld team, the United States of America remains the most favoured destination for Irish GoMoWorld customers, constituting a staggering 45% of plans. This is followed by European destinations at 27% where ‘roam like home’ may not be available or if customers need a top up on their own roaming allowance.

With its value, coverage and simple setup GoMoWorld has become a go-to solution for data access while travelling overseas. Other top destinations include Canada and Australia, where soccer fans travelled to support the Irish soccer team in the World Cup. Irish globetrotters are also embracing the app in other locations like Korea, Israel, Mexico, and Serbia.

Travellers are using GoMoWorld to travel and work abroad and also to represent Ireland on a global stage. Irish international footballer Amber Barrett, used GoMoWorld while playing in Australia, and shares her experience, stating, “The GoMoWorld app has been so useful and easy to use abroad. It’s so beneficial to be able to use data with no worries about heavy bills when you come home. It is very accessible and easy to add on data whenever it’s needed.”

Heloise Abraham, Director GoMoWorld: “At the heart of GoMoWorld’s success lie its remarkable features, which we believe is what sets it apart from traditional roaming options. Not only is it great value and easy to use but unlike traditional plans it doesn’t tie users down with contracts. The feedback we’re getting from our customers is that it’s so easy that you almost forget about it, meaning you can stay connected, wherever you are in the world.”

GoMoWorld offers data roaming plans starting at just €3.99 per month. The app connects users to local partner networks in over 160 countries, granting them easy access to the internet through reliable local mobile networks. With no physical SIM card required, GoMoWorld offers a hassle-free experience and GoMoWorld lets travellers roam with no long-term contracts. Users can download the app from the App Store or Google Play, select their destination, and install their eSIM.