cybersecurity report
Minister of State Ossian Smyth TD: Implementing the National Cyber Security Strategy The Government recognises the resilience of public sector IT systems and the protection of critical infrastructure as vitally important, including to safeguard the delivery of services through digital means, writes Minister of State with responsibility for Procurement and eGovernment and Communications and Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth TD. Our vision for the future is to expand further the range of online services and to maximise the opportunities offered by the development of cloud services. The ongoing crisis in Ukraine has once again highlighted the threat of cyberattacks, including second-order impacts. In our connected society it is vital that governments take all necessary steps to enhance the cyber resilience of essential services. The National Cyber Security Strategy is a whole-of-government approach to address the growing threat of cyber security incidents and to ensure that
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Ireland can benefit fully from the digital transformation. The strategy includes 20 separate measures to safeguard public sector networks and essential services, to facilitate the development of the cybersecurity industry and to promote awareness raising and international cooperation. A number of measures are being led by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, where, as Minister of State, I am responsible for Communications and Circular Economy. I am pleased to report that good progress is being made on their
delivery. For example, the Department has published the Public Sector Cyber Security Baseline Standards to be applied by all government departments and agencies. The NCSC has worked with colleagues across government to develop the standards which will support public bodies to identify cyber risks, deploy appropriate mitigation measures, and protect personal and other important data. At its publication in 2019, we committed to reviewing the strategy at its mid-point. My officials have recently begun this mid-term review and will be engaging with relevant stakeholders in the coming months. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is the lead government cybersecurity agency. Its functions are to lead in the management of major cybersecurity incidents, provide guidance and advice to citizens and businesses, and manage cyber security related risks to key services. The NCSC provides works with over 200 constituents from business, educational