Tag: #opensky

New Cybersecurity Directive holds executives personally liable and up to €10 million in fines for organisations

A new directive set to be launched in Ireland in October 2024, could lead to 4,000 businesses in Ireland and their senior executives being personally liable and their organisations exposed to potential fines of up to €10 Million. The expanded Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2) is being implemented to ensure businesses classified as essential and important entities take appropriate measures to enhance their cyber vigilance and protect sensitive data.

In response to these challenges, OpenSky, the business process automation specialists & Microsoft Solutions Partner for Data & AI who use their expertise to bring AI to the centre of digital transformations, have now launched a new Data Management and Governance service for public and private sector organisations.

This new service by OpenSky, powered by Microsoft Fabric & Purview, applies a ‘Data Fabric’[1] approach as the strategy to connect, protect and make data accessible for organisations, aiming to ensure that they meet robust governance and regulatory compliance requirements. In addition their Data Fabric service allows organisations to build greater AI powered insights from connected data by breaking down internal data silos at scale across departments.

Commenting on the new OpenSky offering which will address organisations concerns, Michael Cronin, managing director, said, “The NIS2 directive is reshaping how we approach data management in Ireland, both in the public and private sectors. It’s an opportunity for us to lead by example, ensuring that our data strategies and AI implementations are secure, transparent, and aligned with the best practices in data governance.

The NIS2 directive is an EU-wide legislation on cybersecurity that provides legal measures to increase the overall level of cybersecurity in the EU, and urgently puts pressure on public and private sector organisations to determine its impact on their current cybersecurity posture.

The expanded NIS2 Directive is estimated to impact about 4,000 businesses in Ireland, which is significant considering less than 100 businesses in Ireland are currently impacted by NIS1. The expanded NIS2 brings new categories where organisations in scope are either directly involved in the provision of essential services or connected to their delivery.

Roseanne Killeen, Acting CEO Ireland East Hospital Group, who has worked with OpenSky on enriching the access and integration of HR & Finance data in the hospital group said, “Healthcare faces major hurdles in making data accessible across various departments, and this is due to numerous disconnected data silos. Navigating the challenges around governance and prevention of data breaches can seem like an arduous task but it doesn’t have to be the case when you have access to all your data. We’re not only in a position to govern our data but we’re also now better equipped to provide accountability and transparency to the HSE.”

Based in Naas in Co Kildare, OpenSky has a rich heritage as an Irish digital transformation specialist providing AI powered IT solutions and consultancy services to both public sector and private organisations. OpenSky employs more than 110 people, and this year the company celebrates its 20th anniversary, positioning them as one of Ireland’s most established IT services businesses.

To assess your organisations’ eligibility for a funded Data Governance proof of concept, follow the link here: www openskydata.com

Almost half of Irish office workers would change jobs for a company embracing more automation.

OpenSky, the digital transformation specialist for government organisations and large private enterprises, today announces the findings of a survey which reveal that almost half (47%) of Irish office workers would move to an organisation embracing more automation.

The research – carried out by Censuswide and involving 1,000 people across Ireland, 500 of which were office workers – found that 62% would like to see their organisation embrace more automation, with the highest demand among workers in Carlow, Dublin and Cork. Some 35% of respondents think automation will help people to do their jobs more effectively.

The top three benefits of such technologies were cited as the ability to minimise boring tasks, to help during situations such as the current coronavirus pandemic, and to enable information to be processed faster.

William Flanagan, Technology & Commercial Director, OpenSky

Almost a third (32%) of office workers believe automation would reduce the pressure placed on the human workforce, while more than a quarter (26%) think it would lead to the possibility of a four-day work week. The study also revealed that a significant frustration among people was spending too long in work.

Moreover, 71% said that further automation of business processes would be of strategic benefit to their organisation. Forty-seven per cent of those respondents said it would reduce operational costs, while 42% think it would streamline processes.

In terms of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics, almost a fifth (19%) of office workers admitted they would be worried about such technologies listening to and watching them in the workplace. Some 22% think robots will be involved in workplace decisions within the next 20 years, while 14% believe they will have employee rights by this time.

If organisations fail to implement innovative solutions, like Robotic Process Automation (RPA), which enable valuable staff to work on what they are trained to do rather than spend excessive amounts of time on mundane and monotonous administrative tasks, their employees’ job satisfaction and workload is affected.

William Flanagan, Technology & Commercial Director, OpenSky, said: “Even though workplace operations were transforming before the pandemic, the current situation has highlighted, more than ever, how vital technology is in terms of supporting businesses to remain competitive and secure long-term continuity during a crisis.

“Irish businesses really need to consider investing in technologies that increase productivity levels, reduce costs and enhance customer service levels, enabling them to achieve competitive advantage. The businesses that invest in the tools to uphold competitiveness are the ones that will survive in the long-term – the ones that don’t are more likely to see catastrophic implications, as so many have unfortunately seen recently.

“Not only that, but businesses also need to meet the growing demand among employees to work smarter, not longer.  If organisations fail to implement innovative solutions, like Robotic Process Automation (RPA), which enable valuable staff to work on what they are trained to do rather than spend excessive amounts of time on mundane and monotonous administrative tasks, their employees’ job satisfaction and workload is affected. It also impacts staff retention as employees will simply leave to work for organisations that support more automation.

“Automation is designed to benefit people – not replace them. And while the role of emerging technologies, including AI and robotics, will continue to increase in the world of work over the next few years, the most effective strategy is technology and people working together to be innovative and drive growth.”