{"id":11868,"date":"2025-09-26T17:15:22","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T16:15:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/ie\/?post_type=resources-filter&#038;p=11868"},"modified":"2025-09-26T17:15:25","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T16:15:25","slug":"cyber-security-month-preparing-irish-businesses-for-nis2-and-beyond","status":"publish","type":"resources-filter","link":"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/ie\/resources\/insights\/cyber-security-month-preparing-irish-businesses-for-nis2-and-beyond\/","title":{"rendered":"Cyber Security Month: Preparing Irish Businesses for NIS2 and Beyond"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">October\u2019s Cyber Security Month highlights how small, consistent actions can reduce risk.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiscox.ie\/cyber-readiness-report-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report 2024<\/a> found that Irish businesses experienced an average of 58 cyber attacks in the previous 12 months, with 74% reporting an increase in attacks, and more than 1-in-10 suffering financial costs of between \u20ac1 million and \u20ac10 million. At the same time, 76% of organisations now view cyber resilience as crucial to business strategy.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>The forthcoming <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.ie\/en\/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration\/publications\/general-scheme-of-the-national-cyber-security-bill-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Cyber Security Bill 2024<\/a> is designed to transpose the EU\u2019s NIS2 Directive into Irish law, while also granting the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsc.gov.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Cyber Security Centre<\/a> new statutory powers, and strengthening enforcement. Combined with Dublin\u2019s growing role as a cyber security hub, this is a clear signal for Irish businesses to adopt structured approaches to managing security and compliance.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>This highlights the need for stronger leadership on cyber security &#8211; something <a href=\"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/ie\/iso-certification\/iso-27001\/\">ISO\/IEC 27001<\/a> supports through its defined requirements for an <a href=\"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/ie\/resources\/insights\/what-is-an-information-security-management-system-isms\/\">Information Security Management System (ISMS)<\/a>, enabling organisations to systematically manage information risks.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>The good news? Building resilience doesn\u2019t require an overhaul; it starts with steady, purposeful routines embedded in everyday operations. To support ongoing vigilance, organisations may consider the following routine steps:\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>Every Week: Build Everyday Safeguards\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Weekly routines help organisations address common threats and maintain baseline protection.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Update operating systems, software patches, and antivirus<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Back up essential files securely<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Encourage staff to identify and report phishing attempts<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Monitor logins and device activity for anomalies<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2>Every Month: Strengthen Core Controls\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Monthly checks reinforce internal controls and provide assurance that day-to-day protections are working.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Run full antivirus scans across devices<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Review account security by enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) and ensuring strong, unique passwords<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Test backup recovery processes<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Review user access rights as teams change<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2>Every Quarter: Prepare for EU Directives\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Quarterly reviews demonstrate a proactive approach to cyber risk management and help align with GDPR and NIS2 requirements.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Deliver refresher awareness training for staff\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Consider running a phishing simulation exercise\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Update the IT asset inventory\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Apply updates to third-party software\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Review internal security policies, such as data protection responsibilities, and ensure clarity on <a href=\"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/ie\/resources\/insights\/who-is-responsible-for-demonstrating-compliance-gdpr\/\">who is responsible for demonstrating compliance with GDPR?<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Ensure you know your obligations, including when to <a href=\"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/ie\/resources\/insights\/do-irish-businesses-need-to-report-data-breaches-to-the-dpc-a-practical-gdpr-guide-for-smes\/\">report a breach to the DPC<\/a>\/NCSC\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2>Every Year: Build Long-Term Assurance\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<p>Annual activities provide evidence of resilience to regulators, customers, and supply chain partners.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Undergo penetration testing or IT security assessments\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Review and test the incident response plan\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Renew training and maintain organisational certifications, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/ie\/iso-certification\/iso-27001\/\">ISO\/IEC 27001<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/ie\/security-certification\/cyber-essentials\/\">Cyber Essentials<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Assess supplier and partner security posture\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>For further information, see our <a href=\"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/ie\/resources\/insights\/cyber-security-tips\/\">10 Essential Tips for SME\u2019s<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2>What ISO 27001 Certification Means for Your Business\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<p>ISO 27001 sets out the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an <a href=\"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/ie\/resources\/insights\/what-is-an-information-security-management-system-isms\/\">Information Security Management System<\/a>. It is internationally recognised and supports the structured management of information risks in line with defined policies and objectives.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>To find out more about how certification to <a href=\"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/ie\/iso-certification\/iso-27001\/\">ISO 27001<\/a> can support your organisation\u2019s information security objectives, <a href=\"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/ie\/contact-us\/\">contact our team<\/a> today and take the next step in your certification journey.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Celebrate Cyber Security Month with our SME checklist &#8211; a simple tool to review access, devices, data, and awareness.","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":11869,"template":"","resource":[35],"resource-tag":[149],"class_list":["post-11868","resources-filter","type-resources-filter","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","resource-insights","resource-tag-cyber-essentials"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Cyber Security Month: Simple Cyber Checklist for SMEs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Celebrate Cyber Security Month with our simple SME checklist. 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