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.
“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.”
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.
“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”
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. 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.
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The hospitality industry is a vital element of the Irish economy, with the Irish Hotel Federation noting that it accounts for €8.75 billion in annual spending. Every year tourists, domestic and international, and business guests stay in hotels for either leisure or work-related reasons.
Right now, it’s a sellers’ market for accommodation. With the perfect storm of a shortage of supply of rooms, a strong bounce back in consumer demand and a labour shortage, the sector is struggling to meet this demand, whilst also maintaining a high standard of quality and service. In an increasingly digitising business environment, what role, if any, can digitisation play in alleviating some of these challenges?
The sector has always strived to ensure the customer is king and that it meets and exceeds their expectations. To do so, the evidence suggests that hotels are becoming more attuned to wider societal trends on digital adaptation whether in business or in the home. Research commissioned by SIRO earlier this year on smart homes found an increasing demand for digital and smart devices in our homes. This trend is replicated in the hospitality sector also, where guests equally expect to access smart tech and devices as part of their overall hotel experience. The expectation of guests is likely to be of an even higher magnitude, than within own homes, when they cross the threshold of a hotel.
Enterprise Ireland is the State Agency responsible for supporting exporting Irish-owned companies. We support start-ups from initial ideation stage in many settings, whether entrepreneurship training, third level institutions, start-up hubs or others. We are also an investor in many Irish funds offering seed and venture capital to companies and are a large direct equity investor in our own right.
Our offer for established companies includes direct financial support and advice for expansion, investment, productivity improvement and innovation. We also provide advice and guidance for companies through dedicated Development Advisors on our team. Enterprise Ireland has 40 offices all around the world focused on market access and support for companies to grow and expand internationally
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 
Last week SIRO and Vodafone jointly announced Galway’s 
Fast forward to 2022, COVID and the shift to remote working has changed both appreciation and demand for co-working and remote working facilities right across Ireland. While not every town has a hub, just yet, increasing numbers do. They are also a growing feature of neighbourhoods within our city suburbs.
Describing hubs as merely co-working spaces, creates the impression of facilities for hot-desking only, a disservice to their full offering.
Most are set up to provide space for start-ups and small enterprises to have access to best-in-class facilities and shared services such as IT, admin support, staff canteen or break out spaces, which small businesses typically might struggle to afford.
Beyond the physical facilities, hubs also offer opportunities for businesses to collaborate, share ideas and knowledge, and collectively problem solve. They are critical also for the social side of working life, providing outlets for users to meet and engage with others – something many employees working from home yearned a lot during various lockdowns.
PorterShed joining the SIRO-Vodafone Gigabit Hubs will see both new premises receiving a high-quality Gigabit fibre broadband, ensuring that its member companies have fast and reliable broadband. This connectivity, whilst enhancing the attractiveness of the PorterShed, also ensures it has 