Cyber Security Protocols

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019

Friday, 6 September 2019

Questions (1984)

Jack Chambers

Question:

1984. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there are dedicated, professionally trained and certified cybersecurity staff in relation to cybersecurity protocols under the remit of his Department; if such specialists are being recruited; if his Department maintains a risk register of security breaches; if so, if there are staff that analyse, log and maintain such a register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36231/19]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Cyber security specialists are of critical importance in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of an organisation's systems, files and data. My Department employs dedicated, professionally trained and certified cybersecurity staff and staffing levels are kept under ongoing review. The Department co-operates fully with the National Cyber Security Centre and implements its recommendations. A new Departmental Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2021 is currently being finalised.

For security reasons, my Department does not comment on details of its ongoing cyber security management, but regular reviews and monitoring of risk are part of the management process.