Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022
152. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an update will be provided on the work of the National Cyber Security Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9454/22]
View answer167. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of his engagement with the National Cyber Security Centre, particularly since the cyberattack on the HSE in 2021; the safeguards that are in place to prevent another similar attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10154/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 167 together.
The National Cyber Security Centre, which is located within my Department, has a broad remit across the cyber security of Government ICT and critical national infrastructure. The NCSC has three main roles: national incident response; information sharing; and building resilience. The NCSC supports Government Departments, other public bodies and operators of critical infrastructure to improve the resilience and security of their IT systems to better protect services that our people rely upon, and their data. The NCSC, in collaboration with a cross departmental group drawn from across the public service, recently published the baseline cyber security standard to be applied by all Government Departments and Agencies. In addition, the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) based within in the NCSC, has developed and deployed technology on the infrastructure of Government Departments, to detect and warn of certain types of threat.
I am in regular contact with the Director of the NCSC who advises me that the Centre is currently operating at a heightened state of preparedness as a result of recent cyber incidents and ongoing geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe. The Centre has contingency plans in place in case of an increase in tensions, and is engaging bilaterally with key infrastructure operators across Government and the private sector. The NCSC has also issued a number of guidance and support documents recently, including a ‘Cyber Vitals’ Check list on 1 February, and a detailed Advisory Note on 17 February. This Advisory detailed a cyber risk assessment and appropriate advice regarding the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
The Government has committed to the further development of the NCSC including through the provision of a new permanent facility at my Department's redeveloped headquarters in Beggars Bush, capital funding to support a five-year technology strategy, and the drafting of primary legislation to provide a clear mandate and authority for the NCSC. This is in addition to the expansion in staffing at the NCSC which will see staff numbers increase by 20 before the end of this year, and to over 70 in the next five years. The Government will provide all necessary support to the NCSC to ensure it can fulfil its important role in the years to come.
