Collaboration will make Ireland the Cyber Security Capital of Europe
Cork- May 20th 2019 - Today marks the official launch of the Irish Cyber Security Cluster, Cyber Ireland, which took place at Cork County Hall and was officiated by Minister David Stanton. The Cyber Security cluster organisation, which is backed by IDA Ireland, brings together industry, academia and government to represent the needs of the sector and aims to enhance the innovation, growth and competitiveness of the companies and organisations in this nationwide cluster.
While the internet has fostered a tremendous degree of economic and societal growth, it has also introduced profound security risks. Every facet of our society is now being targeted, and at every level, with reports of massive data breaches becoming commonplace and the increasing threats to undermine democratic processes. By 2021, the value of cybercrime damage is expected to hit $6 trillion (€4.85 trillion) annually according to Cybersecurity Ventures, a figure representing nearly 10 per cent of the world economy.
The launch event presented the Cluster Strategy and Cluster Board, made up of senior industry representatives from McAfee, Forcepoint, IBM, JRI America, HPE, Ward Solutions and Qualcomm, as well as academic institutes and research centres (Cork Institute of Technology, University of Limerick and University College Dublin) and government agencies (IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the National Cyber Security Centre).
Speaking at the launch, David Stanton TD, Minister for Equality, Immigration and Integration said: "The launch of Cyber Ireland, Ireland’s Cyber Security Cluster, is an important leap-forward for the industry in Ireland. This innovative collaboration between Government, industry and academia, will serve as a platform for the industry here to continue to grow and compete globally. I am confident that the establishment of this new cluster here in Cork and the presentation of the Cluster Board, will help to ensure that Ireland remains at the forefront of this fast-growing and strategically important sector."
Jacky Fox, Vice-Chair of the Cluster board commented, “the cluster will work to ensure the country makes the most of the potential for new job creation and innovation by addressing key challenges around skills needs, enhancing research and innovation the development of a national community which connects industry, academia and government. The strength of the cluster will come from a joined up, national approach, as any one organisation or region is too small to compete internationally with other strong international cyber security clusters in the UK, the Netherlands, Estonia, and Israel.
Martin Shanahan, CEO IDA Ireland added, “This Cyber Security cluster will ensure that the country makes the most of the potential for new job creation and innovation by addressing key challenges around skills needs, enhancing research and innovation the development of a national community which connects industry, academia and government. The strength of the cluster will come from a collaborative, national approach, and IDA Ireland are very excited to be supporting this initiative.”
Cyber Ireland has already engaged with over 90 companies, 15 academic organisations and 13 government agencies in the sector, through meetings and three cluster initiation workshops held in Cork, Galway and Dublin in February 2019. These organisations now have the opportunity to register and become members of the cluster to benefit from the range of initiatives and activities being undertaken over the coming 12 months (https://cyberireland.ie/membership/).
About Cyber Ireland:
Cyber Ireland’s vision is to make Ireland a global cyber security leader, regarding: 1) cyber security talent and skills, 2) developing cyber security solutions through Research & Innovation, 3) supporting the internationalisation of Irish SMEs and attracting FDI, and 4) becoming a digitally safe and secure location for businesses and citizens.”
Our mission is to bring together industry, academia and government to represent the needs of the Cyber Security industry in Ireland. We aim to enhance the innovation, growth and competitiveness of the companies and organisations which are part of the cluster.
Media contacts:
Dr Eoin Byrne, Cluster Manager, Cyber Ireland
+353 86 071 9451
eoin.byrne@cyberireland.ie
Sarah Nolan, Assistant Media Relations Executive IDA Ireland
+353 87 101 7336
sarah.nolan@ida.ie