Tag: symbol

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.

Certa awarded coveted Guaranteed Irish symbol

Ireland’s largest fuel supplier Certa, which is part of DCC plc, has been awarded the coveted Guaranteed Irish symbol in recognition of its commitment to creating sustainable jobs, supporting local communities and promoting Irish provenance.

Certa has qualified to become a member of the Guaranteed Irish organisation as a homegrown Irish company that employs over 370 people in communities all over Ireland through its network of 49 pay@pump forecourts and 29 home heating depots.

The Certa brand developed through the amalgamation of the Emo Oil, Campus Oil, Jones Oil and DCC Lubricants brands who have been part of the fabric of cities, towns and villages throughout Ireland for more than 35 years.

Certa’s support for local communities goes well beyond job creation and extends to volunteering, sponsorship, donations and fundraising, all of which was examined as part of the qualifying criteria for the Guaranteed Irish symbol.

Certa is heavily involved in sports sponsorship as the title sponsor of the Ireland Women’s cricket team and is helping the sport to thrive from grassroots to elite level and to inspire young cricket players to follow their dream of playing professionally in Ireland.

It has also developed a series of community-based CSR initiatives including its Volunteering Day Programme which allows its 370 strong workforce to take a paid day out of the business each year to volunteer and give back to their local communities.

Certa has also partnered with the Open Doors Initiative to provide opportunities for some of the most marginalised members of society through the creation of pathways to work, training, education, employment and entrepreneurship.

It is continuing to invest in the service it provides to customers and is now the leading supplier of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in Ireland. The renewable biofuel helps motorists and businesses to make greener, sustainable choices that reduce their carbon emissions and lower their energy costs.

Certa opened Ireland’s first HVO biofuel station in Liffey Valley last year and is currently upgrading its network of 49 pay@pump forecourts to offer HVO at all sites alongside other fuels. Solar PV panels are also being installed to enable its forecourts to generate their own power.

Orla Stevens, Managing Director, Certa Ireland said:

“Certa is very proud to be a homegrown Irish brand that operates at the heart of local communities. We are delighted to be awarded the Guaranteed Irish symbol which helps consumers and businesses to identify products and services that are an altogether better choice for the life of their community.

Certa is committed to supporting local communities across Ireland and to continually enhancing the service that we offer to domestic, commercial and industrial customers as we continue to pursue our vision of becoming Ireland’s most progressive energy company. We look forward to promoting our Guaranteed Irish credentials as we continue that journey”.

Brid O’Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish said:

“We are delighted to welcome Certa as a member of Guaranteed Irish. The Guaranteed Irish symbol is a national symbol of trust that is only awarded to companies in Ireland that support sustainable jobs, contribute to our local economies, and are committed to Irish provenance. This has been at the core of Certa’s development as an Irish company over the past 35 years and we look forward to working with Certa as it continues to grow and enhance the service that it provides to communities across Ireland’.