Tag: #IT

Everything you need to know about online casino payout times in Ireland

One of the most important aspects of playing at an online casino for players in Ireland is the speed with which they’ll get their winnings.

Online casinos should be places of fun and excitement, but if you do land a win, the process of getting that money into your hands should be a stress-free one. From the minute you trigger the withdrawal process, a series of events unfolds, leading to you getting your winnings, but how quickly that process happens can vary wildly for a myriad of reasons.

By staying informed, you can avoid lengthy delays and stay in control.

How online casino withdrawals work

So you’ve hit a win at the online casino and now, quite rightly, you want your winnings. When you tap the button to withdraw money from an online casino, the platform will review the request and, if necessary, check that wagering requirements have been met. This is crucial for those playing with introductory bonus offers that are often subject to strict terms and conditions.

Casinos will then verify your identity. Depending on the platform, this can take minutes or days, which is why it’s handy to have completed the verification process before playing. 

When the withdrawal is approved, it’s then depends on your chosen method to receive your money. Whether it’s bank transfer, debit cards, e-wallets or cryptocurrency, each has a very different processing time. Once the funds are processed, they’re made available in your account to use as you please — happy days!

Why can payments be delayed?

There are a variety of reasons that payments can be delayed. The most common of these is down to the platform’s internal approval processes. Incredibly, some casinos still deal with this manually and only during business hours in the country where the site is hosted. That means if you’re in Mayo playing on a site hosted in Malaysia, then you’ll need to wait for them to open for the day and process your request. Other sites have moved with the times, putting IT systems to good use and using automated systems that process requests around the clock.

The other major issue when it comes to delays is the withdrawal method you select. As discussed, credit and debit cards can take days for payments to clear, while bank transfers can take even longer. Digital wallets and cryptocurrencies are best used by players when speed is a priority.

Extra security and verification checks might take place if it’s your first withdrawal on a site. Additionally, some platforms offer a pending period so you can change your mind about making a withdrawal, only adding to the time it takes for your funds to clear.

Fast payout casinos in Ireland

If you want to avoid lengthy waits, then the good news is that there are plenty of options for Irish players. While some online casinos might be all talk when it comes to being quick at processing payments, it’s not hard for players to find the best legitimate fast withdrawal casinos in Ireland. 

Reputable sites are reviewed and rated according to a whole host of criteria, but their fast payout credentials are considered the top priority. Withdrawal times are stated clearly for each platform, allowing you to make an informed choice about which online casino is right for you. 

Some platforms offer instant withdrawals, but if that only applies to crypto and you want to use your e-wallet, which has a 90-minute wait time on another site, then you can make the informed choice of which one is right for you. 

How payment methods impact withdrawal speed

Withdrawal speed at online casinos is as much down to the payment method you choose as it is to the platform itself. E-wallets such as PayPal and Skrill are typically among the fastest payment options, with players receiving their winnings in a matter of hours. The global appeal of these options also adds to their popularity so whether you’re playing in Dublin or Dubai, your money should be with you in no time at all.

Cryptocurrency has taken withdrawal speed to a whole new level. Bitcoin and Ethereum are among the leading cryptocurrencies that online casinos now routinely accept for payment. These decentralised currencies do not rely on traditional establishments such as banks, so the process can be even quicker. Many players find their withdrawal in their crypto wallet mere minutes after making their request.

On the other hand, debit and credit card withdrawals, although still very popular with players and almost universally accepted, can take a lot longer to be processed. Once the online casino has processed the withdrawal, players still need to wait for banks to do the same at their end, meaning a wait of days rather than just hours.

Get your winnings faster

The best way to get your winnings faster is to play on a platform with the shortest processing time for withdrawals. Using an e-wallet or cryptocurrency will also cut down on waiting time, but there are other things that you can do as well in preparation for making a withdrawal.

Many online casinos still require player verification. You need to submit documents such as a photo ID or proof of address so the platform knows their money is going where it’s meant to be. By completing the verification process as soon as you sign up for a site, there won’t be needless delays when it’s time to withdraw your winnings.

Do your research before you play and look for a casino with a strong reputation for prompt payments. Reputable sites should make information very easy to find and clear to understand. If it’s not, then move on to another platform.

In conclusion

Understanding the payout process is crucial for anyone gambling online in Ireland. By choosing a reputable, fast payout casino, verifying your account early and selecting the right payment method, you can greatly reduce the time it takes to receive your winnings.

Why Businesses In Ireland Are Increasingly Investing In IT Support Services

In the modern business landscape, technology is no longer just a support function—it is the backbone of success. For businesses in Ireland, where digital transformation is accelerating rapidly, having reliable IT support services is crucial to staying competitive and resilient. From safeguarding sensitive data to ensuring seamless daily operations, professional IT support enables companies to focus on growth and innovation without being hindered by technical challenges. 

In this article, we are going to explore the various reasons why investing in IT support is essential for Irish businesses.

Strengthening Cybersecurity and Data Protection

Cybersecurity is a paramount concern for businesses worldwide, and Ireland is no exception. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated and frequent, companies face significant risks including data breaches, ransomware, and identity theft. Such incidents can lead to severe financial losses, legal consequences, and damage to brand reputation.

Professional IT support services like Hybrid TP provide businesses with robust cybersecurity measures designed to protect sensitive data and IT assets. These include firewalls, intrusion detection systems, antivirus software, encryption, and continuous monitoring to detect and respond to threats in real time. IT experts also conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and address security weaknesses before they can be exploited.

In addition, IT support providers help businesses comply with stringent data protection regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which applies across the European Union including Ireland. Compliance involves implementing appropriate security controls, conducting regular audits, and maintaining detailed records—all of which IT professionals can manage effectively. This not only mitigates legal risks but also builds customer trust by demonstrating a commitment to safeguarding personal information.

Cost Savings and Scalability

For many Irish businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), maintaining an in-house IT department can be prohibitively expensive. Hiring, training, and retaining skilled IT staff, along with investing in infrastructure and software licences, can strain budgets.

Outsourcing IT support to managed service providers (MSPs) offers a cost-effective alternative. MSPs provide access to a team of experienced professionals and the latest technology without the overhead costs associated with full-time employees. This model allows businesses to convert fixed IT expenses into predictable operational costs.

Furthermore, managed IT services are scalable and flexible. As a business grows or experiences fluctuations in demand, IT support can adjust resources accordingly. Whether expanding IT capacity during busy periods or scaling down during quieter times, this adaptability ensures that companies only pay for the services they need, enhancing financial efficiency.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Productivity

Technology underpins virtually every aspect of modern business operations. From managing customer relationships and supply chains to handling internal communications, IT systems enable companies to streamline workflows and automate routine tasks. However, these systems can be complex, and technical issues such as software glitches, hardware failures, or network outages can disrupt operations and reduce productivity.

IT support services provide businesses with the expertise needed to maintain and optimise their IT infrastructure. By offering rapid troubleshooting and problem resolution, IT professionals minimise downtime and ensure that employees can focus on their core responsibilities without unnecessary interruptions. Regular maintenance, including software updates and hardware checks, prevents unexpected failures and keeps systems running smoothly.

Moreover, IT support teams can advise on and implement automation tools and software solutions tailored to a company’s specific needs. This not only reduces manual workload but also improves accuracy and speeds up processes, contributing to overall operational efficiency.

Compliance with Regulations and Industry Standards

Irish businesses operate in a regulatory environment that demands strict adherence to data protection and IT governance standards. The GDPR, introduced in 2018, imposes rigorous requirements on how personal data is collected, stored, and processed. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and reputational damage.

IT support teams help businesses navigate these complex regulations by implementing necessary technical controls and policies. They conduct regular compliance audits, ensure data is encrypted and access is controlled, and maintain detailed logs required for regulatory reporting.

Beyond GDPR, certain industries such as finance, healthcare, and retail may have additional standards and certifications to meet. IT support services provide the expertise to align IT practices with these requirements, reducing risk and enhancing credibility with customers and partners.

Proactive IT Management and Business Continuity

One of the greatest advantages of professional IT support is proactive management. Instead of waiting for issues to arise, managed IT service providers continuously monitor systems to detect potential problems early. This proactive approach reduces downtime by addressing vulnerabilities before they cause failures.

Proactive IT management also includes regular system updates, patch management, and performance optimisation. These practices keep technology current and secure, preventing compatibility issues and security breaches.

Business continuity is another critical area where IT support services add value. They develop and implement disaster recovery plans that ensure data is regularly backed up and can be quickly restored in the event of hardware failure, cyberattack, or natural disaster. Cloud-based backup solutions and off-site storage mean that businesses can recover swiftly, minimising operational disruption and financial losses.

Supporting Remote Work 

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote and hybrid working models, a trend that continues to shape the Irish business landscape. Remote work introduces new IT challenges, including secure access to company resources, reliable communication tools, and data protection outside traditional office environments.

IT support services enable businesses to implement and manage technologies that facilitate remote work. This includes setting up virtual private networks (VPNs) for secure connections, deploying cloud-based platforms for file sharing and collaboration, and configuring video conferencing tools to maintain communication.

By ensuring that remote employees have seamless and secure access to necessary applications and data, IT support helps maintain productivity and employee satisfaction. It also mitigates security risks associated with remote access, such as unsecured Wi-Fi networks or personal devices.

Gaining Competitive Advantage with Strategic and Thoughtful IT Planning

Beyond day-to-day technical support, IT service providers offer strategic guidance that helps businesses leverage technology for growth and innovation. They assess current IT infrastructure, identify gaps, and recommend solutions aligned with business objectives.

In a competitive market like Ireland’s, companies that adopt emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cloud computing can differentiate themselves. IT support teams facilitate this by managing technology integration, training staff, and ensuring systems are scalable and secure.

Strategic IT planning also involves budgeting for future technology investments and anticipating industry trends. This foresight enables businesses to stay agile, respond quickly to market changes, and seize new opportunities.

Conclusion

In an increasingly digital and interconnected world, IT support services have become a cornerstone of business success in Ireland. From enhancing operational efficiency and productivity to strengthening cybersecurity and ensuring regulatory compliance, professional IT support delivers tangible benefits that protect and propel businesses forward.

Cost-effective and scalable managed IT services provide flexibility for companies of all sizes, while proactive management and disaster recovery plans safeguard business continuity. Support for remote work and strategic IT planning further empower Irish businesses to adapt and thrive in a dynamic environment.

Ultimately, investing in robust IT support is not just about fixing problems—it is about building a resilient, innovative, and competitive organisation ready to meet the challenges of the future. For Irish businesses aiming to succeed in the digital age, partnering with expert IT support providers is an essential step towards sustainable growth and long-term success.

 

1 in 3 Irish businesses use AI to help detect fraud

More than 9 in 10 (94%) of Irish businesses are using Artificial Intelligence, a survey has revealed.

This is according to research from insurance broker and risk management company Gallagher in Ireland, which found that only 3% of Irish businesses are not using AI. By comparison, the same survey in the UK found that 15% of businesses are not using AI.

Commenting on the survey findings, Laura Vickers, Managing Director of Commercial Lines in Gallagher said:

“AI is transforming the way we live and work, with our survey showing that most Irish businesses are already using AI, and for a myriad different reasons.

Recent years have seen AI advance in leap and bounds. AI arguably has much greater potential to transform the workplace than previous breakthrough technologies, such as the internet and smartphones, have. AI can be used to drive innovation in a business and to make work processes more efficient, freeing up the time of employees. It can also help detect fraud and to reduce customer service costs.”

Gallagher commissioned a survey of 300 business decision makers across the UK & Ireland, 100 of whom are based in Ireland.

The survey identified the top 8 reasons employees in Irish businesses use AI:

  1. To improve customer service and support         (43%)
  2. To be able to gather better data and insights that will benefit their business and customers (41%)
  3. To improve customer experience and engagement (39%)
  4. Supply chain management (37%)
  5. To provide an extra layer of IT security to the business (35%)
  6. To help detect fraudulent activity (34%)
  7. To automate business processes and free up the time of colleagues (30%)
  8. Accounting (18%)

Ms Vickers added:

“Whilst AI has the potential to deliver many benefits to businesses, there are valid concerns around the power of this technology, including privacy, misinformation and its potential to lead to job displacement. It’s important that business leaders ensure their employees are supported and trained in the use of the technology and that they have adequate cyber cover in place to help protect their businesses.”

Geographic differences on AI

The survey revealed some interesting geographic differences when it comes to the use of AI in the workplace including:

  • Businesses in Dublin (43%) and Munster (40%) are the most inclined to use AI to help detect fraud (see Table 2 in Appendix). Businesses in Connacht are the least likely to use the technology to help detect fraud, with only one in ten (11%) doing so, followed by businesses in Ulster (25%) and Leinster (29%).
  • Munster businesses are the most inclined to use AI to provide an extra layer of IT security for their business. The survey found that six in ten (60%) businesses in Munster use the technology for this reason compared one in four (24%) in Leinster and one in three (33%) in Dublin.
  • Businesses in Munster are the most likely to use AI to improve customer service and support with 60% doing so compared to one in three (33%) firms in both Leinster and Connacht.
  • When it comes to using AI to free up the time of colleagues, Dublin businesses are the most inclined to do so (39%).

For further information, please visit: https://www.ajg.ie/

CCI Global Expands European Operations at Platform94, Galway

Just six months after opening its first European base at Platform94 in Galway, global customer engagement leader CCI Global have announced a major expansion, moving from a 3-desk startup space into a 30-person office unit. The new office space will provide the capacity needed to support CCI’s ambitious growth plans in the region, with room to scale their team steadily over the coming months.

CCI Global operates across key African markets including Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Egypt and South Africa, with Botswana launching soon. With over 15,000 employees across 15 sites on the continent, the company’s expansion into Galway marks a strategic step in building distributed global tech hubs. Galway’s vibrant talent pool, innovation-driven culture, and strong connectivity make it an ideal European base to complement CCI’s growing African operations.

The expansion was officially announced at a private event today at Platform94, with speakers including Mervyn Pretorius, Group CTO and CCI Ireland Lead and Marie Donnellan, CEO of Platform94. The event was also attended by IDA Ireland.

Martin Roe, Group CEO of CCI Global commented: “This strategic move has been thoughtfully planned and is a key step in our global growth. We chose Ireland as the home of our IT Hub because of its strong reputation for tech talent and the incredible support from the government and local ecosystem. We’re excited to be expanding into a larger space in Galway, strengthening our IT capabilities, and creating more high-quality jobs here in Ireland.”

Mervyn Pretorius, Group CTO and Ireland Lead, added: “Establishing our European base at Platform94 is a strategic move for CCI as we continue to grow our global delivery capability. The team here is already contributing to key areas of our technology and client support operations, and this expansion positions us to deliver even more value to our partners worldwide.”

Marie Donnellan, CEO of Platform94, welcomed the news:
“The speed of CCI’s growth speaks not only to the strength of the local ecosystem for ambitious global tech businesses, but also to the calibre of the team they’ve built here in Galway. We’re proud to support them on this journey and excited to see what’s next as they scale their European presence from their base here at Platform94.”

Denis Curran, Head of Emerging Business at IDA Ireland said: “CCI Global’s expansion in Galway is a strong endorsement of Ireland’s position as a strategic location for ambitious, growth-focused companies. Our pro-business environment, combined with access to skilled talent and a supportive innovation ecosystem, continues to attract firms from across the globe”

This expansion marks a significant milestone for CCI Global. Galway’s rich talent base and dynamic innovation ecosystem have positioned it as a cornerstone of CCI’s global growth strategy.

Dell Technologies unveils Concept Astro to optimise data centre efficiency

Dell Technologies has introduced Concept Astro, an innovation that uses AI, digital twins, and automation to optimise energy consumption and streamline data centre operations.

As artificial intelligence drives a new wave of digital transformation, growing energy demands have placed immense pressure on global data infrastructure. Increasing AI adoption continues to drive energy demands in the data centre, making the need for smarter, more sustainable solutions more urgent than ever.

To meet this need, Dell Technologies has introduced Concept Astro, an AI-driven workload management solution that utilises agentic AI, digital twins, and automation to optimise IT operations and energy consumption. Concept Astro enables enterprises to forecast processing times, predict energy requirements, and prioritise workloads based on business needs, energy availability, and cost without disrupting operations.

During a pilot collaboration with Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, Concept Astro helped researchers optimise AI-intensive workload scheduling, leading to a 20% cost reduction and a 32% decrease in emissions. The successful trial highlights how AI-powered scheduling can deliver tangible sustainability and efficiency improvements for data centres.

Dell Technologies continues to invest in energy-efficient technologies that minimise operational costs while maximising business impact. By integrating AI-powered workload scheduling and improving infrastructure efficiency, enterprises can reduce energy consumption, enhance grid resilience, and drive sustainability across their operations.

Speaking about Concept Astro, Alyson Freeman, Innovation, Sustainability and ESG lead at Dell Technologies said: “Rising AI workloads are expected to drive higher data centre energy use, costs, and emissions. Some experts even predict data centre energy consumption could double by 2030, placing added strain on already burdened power grids. As a result, reliable, resilient and affordable energy has become a top priority for data centre operations worldwide. One of our latest explorations, Concept Astro, uses agentic AI, digital twins, and automation to spur smarter decision making to improve IT operations and energy consumption. This capability is exciting but right now just a concept, with our engineers pushing the boundaries of what is possible to deliver at scale.”

As Dell Technologies continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in energy-efficient AI technologies, the company is committed to supporting businesses in Ireland and globally to enhance grid resilience, reduce operational costs, and drive sustainable progress.

For further insights into Dell Technologies’ advancements in AI-driven energy efficiency and data center operations, read more here.

Simplifying IT for the AI and Multicloud Era

AI is rapidly reshaping the business landscape, making digital transformation not just a priority but a necessity for Irish organisations. Yet as companies look to harness its potential, they often find themselves navigating increasingly complex IT environments — a challenge that can feel overwhelming for businesses of all sizes. Brian O’ Toole, Consumption and Software Sales Leader at Dell Technologies tells us more

Whether it’s navigating cloud migration or staying secure and scaling AI projects or even just managing day-to-day IT workloads with limited resources, there’s one thing we keep hearing from businesses and organisations alike is that ‘we need to simplify’.

At Dell Technologies, we’ve seen these challenges firsthand — and that’s why we’re helping organisations embrace technology as-a-Service. Adopting this approach can help simplify operations, modernise IT infrastructure, and give businesses the agility they need to innovate at speed in the AI era.

 A Fresh Approach to IT Management

Today, IT teams face a perfect storm of priorities from business leaders responding to external challenges. These priorities pressure IT leaders to do more with less as they get operations teams to innovate while addressing expanding regulatory frameworks around data.

All these pressures and potentially competing priorities increase the risk of IT decision sprawl that could solve problems in one area while adding complexity in others.

To help IT and business leaders navigate this environment and shift IT costs from capital expenditure (CapEx) to operational expenditure (OpEx), Dell APEX Cloud Platforms provide integrated infrastructure management that reduces multicloud complexity while strengthening security and governance. APEX is a portfolio of fully integrated, turnkey systems that integrate Dell infrastructure, software and cloud operating stacks to deliver consistent multicloud operations. By extending cloud operating models to on-premises and edge environments, Dell APEX Cloud Platforms bridge the cloud divide by delivering consistent cloud operations everywhere.

With Dell APEX Cloud Platforms, you can:

  • Minimize multicloud costs and complexity in the cloud ecosystem of your choice.
  • Increase application value by accelerating productivity with familiar experiences that enable you to develop anywhere and deploy everywhere.

Improve security and governance by enforcing consistent cloud ecosystem management from cloud to edge and enhancing control with layered security. The shift to an As-a-Service approach gives businesses control without the chaos. Whether a scaling startup or an established large business planning to advance their Multicloud solutions or leverage AI-driven applications, they can get access to latest technology such as storage, servers, devices and cloud services – on demand with only the cost for what they use.

Enabling organisations to innovate in an AI and Multicloud era

For organisations, the shift to an as-a-service model is not just about simplifying IT systems, it’s about ensuring they can unlock innovation and growth. Businesses can pay for what they use which aligns technology investment to actual value and usage. This approach is especially critical for costly infrastructure such as GPUs, servers, and storage which all require substantial investment. By spreading costs over time, organisations in Ireland can forge a cost-effective pathway to leveraging cutting-edge AI capabilities without being locked into long-term technology commitments.

In Ireland, we’re seeing a growing appetite for more agile, scalable IT models, especially among businesses embracing AI, hybrid work, and Multicloud strategies. As the debate between public and private clouds are fading, Multicloud ecosystems are the future, and Dell APEX is leading the charge. With partnerships spanning hyper scalers like Microsoft, Red Hat, VMware, and Google Cloud, Dell APEX delivers simplified IT management across environments.

Dell APEX innovations also cater to businesses deploying AI-driven solutions, offering validated designs with Red Hat OpenShift AI and Microsoft Azure AI. With flexible pay-per-use models, organisations can leverage these capabilities without the unpredictability associated with public cloud costs.

Unlocking the potential of technology into the future

For Irish business who are looking to learn more and delve deeper into Multicloud innovation and how they can transform their IT operations, the upcoming event ‘The Sky’s the Limit: Elevate your Multi Cloud Strategy’ on 29th April at the Guinness Storehouse offering a unique experience of insights into Dell APEX Cloud Platforms, hands-on demos, and discussions on overcoming IT challenges like complexity and security.

Attendees will also hear firsthand how companies in Ireland have embraced an as-a-service approach which has transformed and simplified their IT operations and ensured they are best placed to innovate in the AI era. Register for free here.

As the pace of technological change accelerates, Irish businesses must remain agile to stay competitive. The shift to an as-a-service model is not just a strategic decision—it’s an enabler of transformation. By embracing an as-a-Service approach, organisations can seamlessly scale their operations, reduce overheads, and focus on what truly matters: driving innovation in the AI era.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Strategic Importance of Centres of Excellence in the IT Industry and at Noesis

At the start of another exhilarating Formula 1 season, it’s fascinating to draw parallels between the high-speed world of racing and Ireland’s rapidly accelerating IT sector. While Ireland may not have an extensive Formula 1 history, it is making significant strides in a different kind of global competition, innovation and digital transformation within the IT industry.

Ireland’s IT sector has long been recognized as a hub for innovation. The country’s strategic location, pro-business policies, and access to the European market have attracted major global players. However, the true differentiator lies in the local talent, highly skilled, creative professionals who bring a unique perspective to the challenges of modern IT. Its tech-savvy workforce continues to make tech innovation thriving and at Noesis Ireland, we are proud to contribute to this dynamic ecosystem. 

At Noesis, we deeply appreciate the parallels between precision, performance, and continuous improvement, principles equally vital in technology and motorsport. Our Dundalk Centre of Excellence (CoE) represents the personification of these values, harnessing Ireland’s outstanding local talent to drive cutting-edge innovation in artificial intelligence, software development, quality assurance, low-code development, and data analytics.

Much like an F1 team’s pit crew, which fine-tunes every element for maximum efficiency, our Centre of Excellence is structured to ensure seamless integration of expertise, best practices, and emerging technologies. It serves as a hub where the latest advancements in IT are developed, tested, and deployed at speed, allowing our clients to stay ahead of the competition.

Strategically positioned between Dublin and Belfast, Dundalk offers a unique advantage. It allows us to tap into the talent and innovation potential of both Ireland and Northern Ireland. Its proximity to prominent universities, dynamic tech startups, and leading enterprises creates a thriving collaborative ecosystem, which helps us produce agile, scalable solutions designed for global impact.

Nelson Pereira CTO Noesis and Ricardo Batista MD UK&I Noesis

Our Dundalk CoE is more than just an operational hub; it is a powerhouse of collaboration and expertise. It specialises in key technology domains, including artificial intelligence, software development, quality assurance, low-code development, and data analytics. By consolidating knowledge and fostering continuous improvement in these areas, we ensure that our solutions remain innovative, adaptable, and impactful across industries.

Just like in Formula 1, where teams rely on real-time data, strategic decision-making, and continuous iteration, Noesis leverages the CoE model to enhance efficiency and deliver cutting-edge solutions. Whether it’s optimising software performance, ensuring seamless automation, or delivering scalable AI-driven insights, our CoE provides the agility and expertise needed to meet the evolving demands of the digital world.

Additionally, the CoE is pivotal in adapting to today’s hybrid work environment. It balances remote flexibility with essential physical collaboration, creating a space for meaningful innovation and team cohesion. This approach mirrors a well-coordinated pit crew, each member contributing precisely to the overall performance and success.

Ireland has long been a hub for technological advancement, and the Dundalk CoE further cements its position on the global stage. As Noesis continues to push the boundaries of IT excellence, we remain committed to fostering innovation, delivering cutting-edge solutions, and driving success—both for our clients and for Ireland’s growing reputation in the digital economy.

Just as an F1 team never stops refining its approach to gain an edge, we at Noesis embrace that same relentless pursuit of progress. Through our Centre of Excellence in Dundalk, we are accelerating Ireland’s digital transformation, ensuring that the country remains a leading force in global IT innovation.

Our vision is clear, to harness the power of Irish expertise to solve the world’s most pressing IT challenges, meeting and exceeding our clients’ needs and making their businesses better. Whether it’s enhancing operational efficiencies, driving digital transformation, or championing sustainability, our Centre of Excellence, here in Ireland and across the Noesis network, stands as a testament to what can be achieved when local innovation meets global ambition.

By Ricardo Batista, MD Noesis UK and Ireland

Turning Ireland’s cloud and AI ambitions into action

By Ivan Jennings, Senior Solution Architect, Red Hat

Ireland’s cloud and AI ambitions are gaining momentum. Across industries, businesses recognise the potential of these interconnected technologies to support innovation, drive scale and deliver tangible value. Yet, while the opportunities are clear, the path forward isn’t always as simple.

Cloud has long been a driver of transformation, and the rise of AI has only accelerated this shift. AI increasingly stands out as the ultimate hybrid cloud workload, taking advantage of the scalability and flexibility of hybrid cloud infrastructure to enable advanced analytics and real-time decision-making.

Generative AI, in particular, is reshaping how businesses in Ireland approach their digital strategies. Its rapid adoption is pushing organisations to rethink not only their technology stacks but also the skills and processes needed to support them. Success isn’t just about investing in the latest technology; it’s about making the right strategic long-term decisions.

Red Hat recently ran a survey to explore the cloud and AI strategies of businesses in Ireland in 2025. The findings reveal ambitious intentions: 93% of IT managers surveyed plan to increase cloud technology investment, while 95% plan to up AI investment. Progress, however, is tempered by longstanding challenges, like fragmented processes and siloed teams. 

This piece will explore how, against the backdrop of Ireland’s growing role as a global technology hub, businesses can break through these barriers and unlock the potential of cloud and AI.

Breaking down silos, driving alignment
Nearly every IT manager we surveyed (96%) reported that siloed teams pose challenges when adopting cloud technologies, with more than half (51%) experiencing silos frequently. These challenges often stem from legacy organisational structures, where departments operate in isolation with little visibility of broader goals. A cautious stance from the C-suite on long-term investment often adds to the strain, as leaders face the tension between immediate pressures and the need to invest in future capabilities, including team integration and collaboration.

As cloud and AI technologies become more embedded in operations, this fragmentation is becoming unsustainable. Among the IT managers surveyed experiencing silos, the most common impacts on cloud strategy are increased costs (32%), limited control and visibility over cloud resources (32%), and operational inefficiencies such as duplicated efforts across teams (30%). Overcoming these challenges means bridging the gaps, so every team member understands the bigger picture and how their work drives the organisation forward.

Adopting an “automation-first” mindset is key to finding efficiencies and maintaining consistency, particularly when working across diverse tools, vendors and clouds. An enterprise-wide automation strategy that prioritises collaboration across teams – rather than isolated silos of automation – can help IT leaders establish centralised standards and guidelines for the use of cloud and AI. This approach fosters alignment, enabling organisations to maximise the value of their technology investments.

Breaking down silos, however, must extend beyond the technical level to the human level. A mix of top-down direction from leadership and bottom-up feedback from frontline employees helps build trust and alignment around shared goals. To support this cultural shift, organisations can implement modern corporate design principles, rethinking structures to promote open collaboration and dismantle traditional hierarchies that hinder innovation. For example, cross-functional teams with clear accountability can be established to ensure ongoing alignment between departments. Regular feedback loops, such as retrospectives or team-wide reviews, can help surface issues early and create a sense of shared purpose.

Modernising processes, increasing open collaboration
Many organisations in Ireland are working with processes and controls that were built for a different time, when stability and predictability were the primary focus. While these remain vital, in a rapidly changing environment shaped by cloud-native workflows and AI-driven decision-making, they are no longer enough on their own. 

The challenge for leaders is twofold: they must modernise how their organisations operate through new technology and process adoption, while ensuring their people have the skills and confidence to drive this change. Interestingly, the most cited skills gap among IT managers in Ireland was not in technical proficiency, but in strategic thinking and the ability to tackle business-level issues, mentioned by 44% of respondents. This highlights the need for upskilling and retraining workforces not only to navigate a cloud-based and AI-centric environment but also to approach these shifts with a strategic, business-first mindset. 

Part of the solution lies in making advanced technologies more accessible. Traditionally, implementing cloud and AI required the specialised expertise of highly trained data scientists – an expensive and scarce resource for many organisations. There are platforms and tools emerging that address this challenge, like the open source project InstructLab, which enables individuals with business expertise (i.e. not just data scientists) to contribute to model training and application development. Leaders can also take advantage of open source communities to enhance skills through shared resources, best practices and collaborative learning.

This spirit of collaboration is equally vital for modernising workflows. To move beyond rigid controls, organisations need systems built for transparency, interoperability and shared accountability – across teams, departments and entire ecosystems. Open source has these principles at its core.Modernising processes, empowering people and embracing collaboration form the framework for change. This is increasingly being recognised and acted upon, with two-thirds of IT managers surveyed (66%) prioritising adapting people, processes and controls in their cloud strategy over the next 18 months. 

Smaller AI, bigger impact
When it comes to generative AI, the focus is shifting. Businesses in Ireland are looking beyond generalised large language models (LLMs) to smaller, specialised LLMs designed to solve real-world problems with precision: 84% of IT leaders surveyed are moving toward domain-specific models over one-size-fits-all approaches.

This shift is both practical and strategic. Smaller models are easier to customise, require less computing power and can be trained with specific data and fine-tuned for specific purposes. In manufacturing, targeted AI models can predict machinery failures before they happen, while in finance, dedicated models can catch fraud in real-time without slowing legitimate transactions.

At the same time, transparency is coming to the forefront. 85% of IT leaders surveyed prioritise transparent, modifiable AI models with explainable sources. Open source plays a critical role in meeting these needs by enabling greater collaboration and visibility across platforms and models and supporting contributions from more people. This approach increases accessibility to evolving technologies and can improve consistency of compliance and security across the AI application lifecycle – key considerations for highly regulated industries.

For businesses in Ireland, this shift shows AI doesn’t need to be ‘big’ to make an impact. Smaller, purpose-built models can be more specialised, adaptable and practical – focusing on solving real, day-to-day challenges rather than tackling broad, theoretical tasks like writing Greek poetry or explaining weather patterns in Southeast Asia in the 1400s. These models bring AI into the tangible realities of business operations, where they deliver meaningful results.

Simplifying complexity, driving future progress
Ireland has the vision and infrastructure to drive cloud and AI innovation. But progress will come down to execution – breaking down silos, modernising processes and fostering collaboration both internally and with partners, ecosystems and communities. Leadership must identify what AI can do for their business specifically, make the most of hybrid cloud flexibility and scalability, and look at purpose-built AI solutions to address challenges in ways they can measure, trust and influence. What will set organisations apart will be their ability to turn complexity into simplicity, and ideas into action.

 

One in Three Irish Households Experience Cybercrime

Kyndryl the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, today published new research highlighting escalating threats from cyberattacks and scams to Irish households. The findings offer an in-depth perspective on cybersecurity readiness, habits and vulnerabilities among individuals in Ireland, highlighting a lack of basic cybersecurity precautions and awareness, which include:

  • One in five (20%) respondents reported directly experiencing a cyberattack or online fraud in the past year.
  • An additional 15% reported attacks within their household. In total, more than one in three (36%) Irish households have experienced cybercrime over the last 12 months.
  • Almost half (48%) of respondents reuse the same password across multiple sites.
  • More than a quarter (26%) acknowledge using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like banking and online shopping, exposing themselves to attacks.

“While businesses are grappling with the complexities of maintaining future-ready IT infrastructure, as highlighted in our recent Kyndryl Readiness Report, the same principles apply to consumers: effective cybersecurity starts with people,” said Chris Davis, Managing Director, Kyndryl Ireland. “Cybersecurity readiness isn’t just about having the latest tools – it’s about fostering awareness and proactive behaviours among individuals. Increasing public awareness and education is crucial to help individuals protect themselves in an ever-evolving digital environment. At Kyndryl, we believe that a collaborative effort involving government, businesses, and educational institutions is essential to fostering a more secure digital society, and we’re committed to supporting that mission.”

The new research was conducted by 3Gem Research and Insights and builds on findings of organizational readiness that Kyndryl recently published in its inaugural Readiness Report.

Cyber threat concerns are pervasive

Cybersecurity worries are widespread, with 73% of respondents most concerned about personal devices being hacked, such as smartphones and laptops. The second biggest concern is online scams (68%), followed by identity theft (58%). Nearly half (48%) fear sensitive information being leaked through data breaches, while 28% express anxiety over ransomware attacks.

Young adults most at risk of cyber fraud

Almost one in five (21%) individuals experienced a cyberattack or online fraud attempt in the last year, with an additional 15% reporting that a household member had been targeted.

Young adults, particularly those aged 25-34, appear to be the most vulnerable, with 29% having been directly targeted by cybercriminals. This figure drops to 19% for those aged 45-54, and just 11% for individuals aged 65 and above.

Poor password practices still prevalent
Password reuse remains a major security risk, with 48% of respondents stating they use the same password across multiple accounts – a habit that significantly increases vulnerability to cyberattacks. This risky behaviour is most prevalent among 18-24 year-olds (57%), compared to 36% of those aged 65+.

Alarmingly, 41% of respondents say they rely on memory to store their passwords, making it less likely they use strong, complex alphanumeric combinations. Reliance on memory increases with age, from 37% of 18-24 year-olds to 50% of 55-64 year-olds.

Only 24% of respondents use a password manager, considered one of the safest ways to store and generate strong passwords. Meanwhile, 17% write their passwords on paper, 12% rely on browser auto-fill, and 4% admit to using the same password for all accounts.

Risky online behaviour still common
Risky online practices remain widespread, with 26% of respondents admitting to using public Wi-Fi for online banking or shopping – leaving them exposed to potential attacks. This behaviour is particularly prevalent among younger age groups, with 41% of 18-24 year olds and 35% of 25-34 year olds engaging in this high-risk activity.

Additionally, 18% of respondents opt out of using Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), a highly effective method for securing online accounts. Among younger respondents, the figure rises to 23% of 18-24 year olds and 24% of 35-44 year olds.

Consumers have little tolerance for data breaches

Consumers expect high standards of data protection from service providers. If a breach occurred, 74% of respondents said they would be likely to stop using a financial service, such as a bank or insurance provider, while 75% would do the same for social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram.

Slightly more lenient attitudes were noted for other services: 70% would be likely to stop using a retailer, 69% an email provider, and 64% a gaming service following a breach.

Public is divided on responsibility for cybersecurity education

When asked who should take the lead in educating the public about cybersecurity, 35% of respondents believed that this was the responsibility of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the body formally responsible for Ireland’s cybersecurity. Schools were the second-most popular choice, with 19% believing they should bear primary responsibility.

Meanwhile, only 12% of respondents feel employers should play a leading role, and just 7% believe universities should be primarily responsible for cybersecurity education.