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Cybersecurity Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021

Tuesday, 29 June 2021

Questions (294)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

294. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff with the Defence Forces directed to deal with threats to the security of the State specifically in relation to the recent cyber-attack; his plans to increase the number of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30192/21]

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Written answers

As has been evident from the current attack on our health sector, cyber security is an issue with very significant implications for governmental administration, for industry, for economic wellbeing and for the security and safety of our citizens.

The response to cyber threats is a whole-of-Government challenge, with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications taking the lead role, through the National Cyber Security Centre, and with inputs in the security domain from An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. A key function of the National Cyber Security Centre is to support the management of major cyber security incidents and it is leading on the response to the current cyber attack.

While the Defence Forces primary role relates to the defence and security of its own network, they along with the Department of Defence are committed to participating, under the leadership of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, in the delivery of measures to improve the Cyber Security of the State. Both officials from my Department and members of the Defence Forces are actively participating in the implementation of the National Cyber Security Strategy.

My officials and members of the Defence Forces are actively involved in the preparation of a National Cyber Risk Assessment which will support the development of resilience in Ireland’s National Infrastructure by identifying vulnerabilities which could lead to systemic cyber risks.

In addition, a member of the Defence Forces is currently seconded to the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and has been deployed to the Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence based in Tallinn, Estonia. This is the first time Ireland has had a representative in this Centre.

Whilst the Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department or Principal Response Agency in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role.

In that regard, in response to the recent cyber attack on the HSE, the Defence Forces are providing technical support to the HSE through the deployment of a number of Computer Incident Response Teams (CIRT) to assist in the recovery of IT systems.

From a security and an operational perspective it would be inappropriate to provide the details of the capability that the Defence Forces have in cyber security. I can however confirm that there is on-going development of cyber capabilities within the Defence Forces.

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