We are living in a digital era, where anyone can run a business, work, and play online. With great advancements in software, hardware, and broadband enabling us to be more connected than ever, it is also more important to protect ourselves online.
Cybersecurity is a critical function of any business’ operations. It is defined as “the state of being protected against the criminal or unauthorised use of electronic data, or the measures taken to achieve this.”
During the first wave of the pandemic, Ireland became acutely aware of the significance of cybersecurity and what can occur when there is a breach in an organisation’s network. In May 2020, the HSE (Health Service Executive) fell victim to what is now known as one of the largest ransomware attacks in the history of the Irish state. Critical services were forced offline and large volumes of personal data were breached.
Ransomware attacks are a class of malicious software that prevents the end-user from accessing a system or data. Attackers typically request a payment, often in the form of bitcoins, to decrypt files or restore access. These types of attacks can be triggered by clicking on “phishing” links or opening an infected attachment in an email. These types of attacks are becoming more common in small and medium businesses. In fact, 90% of Irish businesses over the last two years have seen a rise in cybersecurity attacks, according to a report from EY Global Information Security Survey in 2021. Meanwhile, new research conducted by PwC indicates a focus on financial cybercrime and fraud. In its report, PwC states that 70% of the organisations that experienced new incidents of fraud said it was as a result of Covid-19 disruptions. Cybersecurity attacks are becoming increasingly more sophisticated, with hackers using timed emails and texts to target employees accounts, and in many cases replicating emails to appear legitimate to trick employees. How a business prepares their network and employees is how they protect themselves. So how can a business protect themselves? The three pillars of cybersecurity are: protection, detection, and response. Protecting the network, detecting the breach, and responding to the breach in a timely matter. The stronger the network, the more protected your business can be. Fibre connectivity is one of the most secure network connections a business can have. Fibre enables you to reach speeds exceeding a gigabit, which can help protect you against attacks. The faster your upload speed, the faster your business can react to a threat, and shut it out. As well as that, fibre broadband has a faster upload throughput, allowing for a business to control their environment, and act on problems within its network faster.“The three pillars of cybersecurity are: protection, detection, and response. Protecting the network, detecting the breach, and responding to the breach in a timely matter.”
With gigabit download speeds, patches and updates are installed faster, securing your business’s software, and allowing you to notice cloud issues in a timely fashion. Comparing to outdated copper connections, which have a lower latency and speed rate, your business is safer with a fibre connection, as the slower your connection, the slower your response time. With SIRO’s fibre-to-the-premises, gigabit connection, you have a dedicated line into your business’s premises. Not only does this guarantee reliable speed, but it provides security from cyber-crime too. This is because hackers can only penetrate your connection by physically cutting the cables, which causes the signal to disappear, making it impossible for the intruder to access any confidential information and data. When the signal disappears, you are alerted, enabling you to act on time in case of any eventuality.“If security is one of your concerns, fibre beats copper in every way. Fibre is much more secure and less easy to tap into than a standard copper cable”
If security is one of your concerns, fibre beats copper in every way. Fibre is much more secure and less easy to tap into than a standard copper cable. As fibre cables do not need to be grounded in the same way that copper cables do, it means that there is much less chance for other digital interferences or bugging/tapping concerns.
Fibre networks also enable you to put all your electronics and hardware in one secure central location, instead of having wiring closets with equipment throughout the building.
Therefore, the confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) of your data is vastly improved.
Data is now one of our most valuable commodities. Protecting your customers and employee’s data should be a key driver in strengthening your business’s network.
As businesses become more tech-savvy and integrate digital services, like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, into their daily practices, on the flip side, hackers and phishers are also becoming more sophisticated in targeting SMEs. According to CWSI, an international workplace security and compliance specialist phishing is perceived to be the highest cybersecurity threat in Ireland (76%), followed by human error (58%) and ransomware (46%).
Pleading ignorance is no longer credible. This makes keeping up to date on the latest cybersecurity trends to safeguard your practices essential. While any cyberattack or hack of a business brings with it huge costs, financial loss, down time and enormous amounts of disruption, the most significant and often most incalculable effect can be long-lasting reputation damage to your business.
At SIRO, we believe that connectivity matters. Yet, protecting the huge benefits of living and working online must be a proactive, rather than a passive, exercise. With a solid foundation to your network, through SIRO’s business and enterprise products, you can be guaranteed a reliable, resilient and safer connection.
To find out if your business can avail of SIRO for Business, search your business eircode today.
Right now, we’re in the midst of a digital revolution. The pandemic accelerated the integration and widespread adoption of digital living, but it also forced businesses into a sort of “Digital Darwinism.” A phenomenon defined as “technology that advances faster than the business can adapt.”
Adapting to the sudden requirement to operate digitally, motivated businesses across the world to integrate digital practices or be left behind. The most common example for businesses during COVID was (what used to be known as) telecommuting, better known today as remote working or work from home.
Before COVID-19, a clunky process of dialling in or spending time in traffic to commute to the office was the most common method of attending a meeting. Various lockdowns and Government work from home decrees fast-tracked video calls as the standard meeting format - saving time, energy, and reducing carbon emissions through less commuting. While the transition was not without its growing pains, it’s become the norm for even the most tech adverse.
The good news is that Ireland has made substantial progress on digital development when compared to EU counterparts. Each year, the Digital Economic Society Index compares countries adaptation and integration of all things digital, including connectivity and digitisation of public services.
Overall, Ireland ranks in the top 5 countries in the EU27. Ireland fell short on connectivity in previous years, but in 2021, coverage of Very High-Capacity Networks (VHCN) skyrocketed from 35% to 85%. This is thanks in no small part from fibre network providers, like SIRO, rolling out FTTH (Fibre To The Home) broadband. Productivity increases are one of the most basic benefits to transforming a business’s digital practices, but that’s just scratching the surface. It’s important that any digital change benefits a company internally, but the main driver for success should be to improve customers’ experience.
It’s true that technology and connectivity are cornerstones of a digital business, but one key factor that determines success is adaptability. Companies that have proven adaptability is the key to survival in a digital world, include Netflix and Adobe. Previously, Netflix operated as a DVD rental business, however in the mid 00’s they transitioned to a streaming platform and in turn disrupted the TV and media industry completely.
Adobe, known for their varying software systems, previously rented out software on floppy disks and CDs. Initially it was a one-time, costly purchased. After the recession in 2008, they adapted to the needs of their customers and changed their licensing to a monthly fee or SaaS (Software as a Service) that was upgraded using cloud-based technology, making renewals easier and more cost-effective.
While important businesses adopt digital practices to optimise how their employees work, they must also ensure employees are poised to adapt to the transition. Digital upskilling is essential if your business is to remain agile. According to PwC research, 40% of employees used lockdown to improve their digital skills.
There are added benefits for your organisation too. Investing in your employee’s growth will ensure your businesses survival and can increase retention. In a survey from PwC, it was found that 86% of executives felt digital upskilling improved employee engagement and performance.
At SIRO, our mission since 2015 has been to close the digital divide in Ireland. Fibre broadband is one step is ensuring your business is resilient and future-proofed for the digital era. When it comes to enhancing the digital fitness of your business, it’s not a case of one size fit all. But there are some common themes transferable to all businesses. These include researching exactly what digital tools will suit your business, cultivate and maintain a digital culture, and invest the time in digitally upskilling your work force. Search your business Eircode today to see if your business can connect to SIRO 100% fibre broadband.
Lorna Conn joined Cpl plc in October 2017 as Chief Financial Officer and was appointed Deputy CEO in April 2021 and CEO in January 2022. Lorna has previously held senior roles in a number of public companies, residing in both Ireland and America during this time. Lorna is a Chartered Director and placed first in Ireland in her Diploma examination. Lorna is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, having trained with Deloitte. Lorna graduated with first class honours in both the Bachelor of Commerce degree in University College Dublin and the master’s in accounting in the Michael Smurfit Business School. Lorna is passionate about Ireland, as a location to live and to do business in.
Traditionally our image of the future involved flying cars, robots, and holograms at the touch of a button. Today, we have self-driving cars, robots that have autonomy, and billionaires going to space. Much of how the future was envisioned is beginning to come to pass, it is here, and we’re living in it. Right now, the tech industry is experiencing a massive shift in priorities. Web2 or social media as we know it today is migrating towards the “Metaverse”, an augmented reality focused on creating a space where people can experience the internet with their full senses.
In October 2021, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg made a keynote speech announcing that the company would be changing its’ name to Meta, while also announcing their vision for the next stage of social media and the internet as we know it. As the name suggests Zuckerberg was moving his company away from its current work of building a set of connected social apps to pivoting to “Web3” better known as The Metaverse.
Long gone are the days of dial-up broadband and modems screeching while loading a web page. Presently, we’re at the peak of Web2, which is defined by “websites that emphasise user-generated content, ease of use, participatory culture and interoperability for end users”. Social media websites such as TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Reddit are clear examples of Web2 in action.
So what is the Metaverse? What does this mean for the future of connectivity and when will it become mainstream? The term was first coined in 1992 by sci-fi writer Neal Stephenson who used “the Metaverse” to describe a 3-D virtual-reality space.
So, what is required for an individual to try out the Metaverse right now? For starters, having the right connection is vital. Before you can consider the hardware required, you need to ensure your broadband can support your immersion into the Metaverse. In this case, fibre broadband is essential. While the Metaverse is still not a fully formed application, a fibre connection can future-proof your access. In 2021, SIRO announced Ireland’s fastest residential speed with 2 Gigabit being made available across our network in 2022. As the Metaverse develops further and larger bandwidths will be essential.
Right now, to enter the Metaverse you need access to VR technology. Companies leading the market on this technology include Nvidia and Oculus for their headsets that allow their users to play video games using virtual reality. Augmented reality technology, which is available on smartphones applications such as Snapchat, Pokemon Go and any camera app with facial recognition and filters will have a key role in supporting our immersion into the Metaverse. Existing Metaverse enabled platforms which users can try out include Sandbox, Mirandus, and Decentraland which people can interact in different ways.
With the Metaverse comes limitless possibilities and advantages for the end user. Meetings can be held in the virtual world, reducing commute times and unnecessary travel. Friends can host movie nights, virtual parties and get-togethers without leaving their home but remaining fully present. Artists can even hold virtual concerts. The 78 million people who attended Ariana Grande’s virtual concert on Fortnite last October shows the huge potential.
Over the last two years, the way we’ve worked, lived, and played has shifted to greater adaptation of online living. In many ways, it has been a training ground for what the Metaverse aims to deliver: the future of connectivity.
At SIRO, we believe that connectivity matters. The Metaverse is just one iteration of what a fully connected future will bring and the fibre we lay today will power the connected lives of our customers and businesses for decades to come. Search Your Eircode today to see if your home or business is SIRO-ready.
“Since the start of the pandemic, we have witnessed how technology enabled the rapid and successful shift to remote working.”
“As data becomes the driver of innovation and business transformation, technologies like AI and 5G are starting to become more critical to business success”
“We are delighted to announce our connectivity partnership with SIRO and Vodafone today. Access to reliable fibre broadband that can meet the data demands of our member companies today and into the future is essential. It’s hugely important to the PorterShed and its long-term sustainability. The support of SIRO and Vodafone along with Enterprise Ireland ensure the PorterShed can continue to deliver and improve its service offering”Managing Director of Vodafone Ireland Business Sinead Bryan commented:
“The PorterShed has done amazing work in contributing to Galway’s regional economy by providing a space where SMEs can grow and develop. When the Gigabit Hub Initiative was first established, its goal was to support job creation and revitalise local economies by providing best in class fibre connectivity. The pandemic has highlighted that connectivity is key to our economic recovery, so it’s another way for us to support that objective. Fundamentally, the acceleration of remote working and adoption of hybrid working models presents real opportunities for businesses to strategically drive long term value in key areas such as flexibility, talent, sustainability, and cost using the digital hubs network."SIRO Corporate Affairs Director, Amanda Glancy said:
“The Gigabit Hub Initiative is a project that we at SIRO are extremely proud to roll-out in partnership with Vodafone. Since our launch, SIRO’s core ambition has been to bring fibre broadband to cities and towns across Ireland and to act as a catalyst for regional growth and balanced development. The PorterShed has achieved much in this regard in just a few short years. We are hugely supportive of the next phase of the PorterShed’s growth and excited about contributing to its long-term success with our fibre broadband service.”SIRO and Vodafone first established the Gigabit Hub Initiative in 2017, following the success of the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen, Co. Cork. There are now 17 Gigabit Hubs across Ireland supporting start-up enterprise, facilitating remote working and bringing added value to the towns they are located in.
The gold standard, what does it mean? It’s a term thrown about by many that can be applied to virtually anything: broadband, accommodation, even a cup of coffee.
For myself, as CTO of SIRO, it means achieving and maintaining superior quality of customer service that inspires others to follow suit. Irish people have always valued quality customer service that’s delivered with care. Since the pandemic, there has been a notable shift in customers valuing trust and mutual understanding from their service providers. A recent survey from The CX Company noted that companies need to show “massive commitment, collaboration, energy and passion” to satisfy the emotional drivers that add to the customer experience. As a CTO of SIRO, with years’ experience of service delivery in telecommunications, one thing each internet service provider (ISP) needs to excel is: Agility.
The ability to react to a changing environment is critical. As is the ability to identify and resolve an issue in a timely manner. SIRO is a wholesale open access network with 19 retailers, and during the pandemic, we were deemed as an essential “critical” service, which meant two things: the people of Ireland needed us, and the pressure was on. Our SSPs had to adapt to ever changing restrictions and guidelines all while ensuring that our customers could carry on working during a global pandemic. So how does an open access wholesaler with 19 retailers ensure that our customers experience in “the last mile” is positive?
“We were deemed as an essential “critical” service, which meant two things: the people of Ireland needed us, and the pressure was on”
For starters, one of the key roles we have as a wholesaler, is supporting our retailers. Our retailers set the performance, as ultimately, they provide the service. So, our role is ensuring our retailers have the appropriate tools to manage their “service” end. Our installers, for example, can provide a heatmap to measure the performance of our connectivity in a home and determine which is the best place for our customers to place their modem. We provide the connection and the CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) and deploy engineers to complete the last steps in the connection. This ensures that our customers receive the highest standards of care and service. Our ultimate goal is to meet our customer expectations, as we are passionate that a SIRO connection is the last you’ll truly need.
While our retailers primarily offer residential services, the same level of care and innovation is provided for our enterprise connections too.
Some of our retailers have begun looking at Fibre to the Room, expanding on the concept of FTTH. Vodafone, for example, provide Wifi enhancement tools for homes that may have difficulty connecting in varying parts of the home. This is known as their “Super-Wifi” product which is having huge success. On average, an Irish home contains 15-20 devices that are Wi-Fi-enabled or connected to the internet, and we foresee that growing each year. As devices develop and demand grows, we as an ISP must continue to innovate, adapt and improve our services to accommodate.
Wifi-Six or “11ax” is a Wi-Fi enhancement tool that will enable better utilisation of the bandwidth provided, which we foresee as a tool that can enhance the in-home broadband experience for our customers and reduce the number of calls to centres.
As a wholesaler, SIRO are happy to support our retailers in ensuring our customers connection remains optimal. We need to ensure that we are providing our retailers with the level of support that’s required to ensure each customer receives the gold standard of service, at each step in their connection.
When SIRO first began its journey, we were a small wholesaler with very few retail partners. We had a vision of bridging the digital divide between Dublin and regional Ireland with pure fibre connectivity. Ireland had fewer than 11,000 fibre connections, and the incumbent Eir had the lion’s share of the broadband market with xDSL connectivity.
Now, we’ve achieved “Five 9s” availability and enabled over 400,000 homes with 100% fibre connectivity, all while balancing the delicate relationship between wholesaler and service provider.
Search Your Eircode today to connect to SIRO 100% Fibre Broadband. 
“We’re delighted to announce that SIRO in collaboration with Actavo have enabled 27,000 homes and businesses to avail of fibre to the home connectivity. When we first launched in 2017, we aimed to connect 17,000 premises. However, the demand for reliable broadband has enabled us to exceed our original goal, by almost 60%, more than doubling our presence from four to now nine towns in the county. Kildare is a county known for many things, one being its commuter county status but now that SIRO’s network spans across nine towns, we hope to enable the people of Kildare to work, live and play closer to home”.SIRO CEO John Keaney, noted:
“When we first launched our fibre roll out to Kildare towns, we couldn’t have anticipated the full extent of the demand in the county. Demand for reliable and resilient broadband exploded during COVID-19 due to working from home and eLearning, in addition to staying connected with family and friends. These ways of living and working are here to stay, and fibre broadband is now viewed as an essential service. Just like water or electricity, high quality broadband is now fundamental to how we live. Access to this service gives individuals, families and communities much greater choice in how they live and work and in ways that work best for them”SIRO fibre broadband for home is available to order from: Sky, Vodafone, Digiweb, Blacknight and PureTelecom.