Sorca Clarke
Ceist:296. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence his views on the way to reduce the vulnerabilities in Ireland’s military force with the new global threats to cyber-security. [34700/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 29 June 2021
Ceisteanna (296)
Freagraí scríofa
My colleague Minister Ryan, as Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, retains overall responsibility for cyber security at a national level but, of course, the response to cyber threats is a whole-of-Government challenge with inputs in the security domain from An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces.
As we have seen with the cyberattack on the HSE, cyber security is an issue we all need to be concerned about. For national security reasons, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the nature of the HSE cyberattack at this time, it does illustrate how vital it is that we take cyber security issues very seriously.
Ireland ranks among the leading EU Member States in terms of the uptake and use of digital technologies. These technologies play a central role in supporting our economic and social life. Our geographic position, our open economy and our EU membership means that we now host a large amount of data and economic activity. COVID-19 also means that people are relying on technology more than ever to stay connected. The development of the Information and Communications Technology that support all this activity introduces a new set of complex and evolving risks. Infrastructure of any kind attached to the Internet is vulnerable to threats from anywhere on Earth.
Disruption to our digital assets and critical infrastructure brings significant economic costs and undermines trust and confidence in them. Threats emanate from both individuals and Nation States and can also have national security implications.
It is vital that we work closely with our partners in the European Union on cyber security issues and so I welcome the proposal made last week by the European Commission to build a new Joint Cyber Unit to tackle the rising number of serious cyber incidents impacting public services as well as the life of businesses and citizens across the EU. The proposed Joint Cyber Unit represents an opportunity to bring together cybersecurity communities including civilian, law enforcement, diplomatic and cyber defence communities. We in the Government will be examining this proposal in depth since, while Ireland welcomes it, it does represent a potentially very substantial requirement for additional resourcing, both in terms of financial resources and skillsets, on behalf of Member States.
Another recent positive development at the international level is that G7 Members have put ransomware on the global agenda. Given the threat presented by ransomware, it is clear that a coordinated response will be necessary, between Governments and with other relevant stakeholders including the private sector, academics and civil society.
I would also like to highlight that a very important debate is taking place this week at the United Nations Security Council today on maintaining international peace and security in cyberspace. The Taoiseach is representing Ireland at this event.
While the primary role of the Defence Forces with regard to Cyber Security relates to the defence and security of its own networks and systems, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces 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. This is being done in line with the Programme for Government commitment to implement the National Cyber Security Strategy, recognizing the potential and important role of the Defence Forces.
That is why officials in my Department and members of the Defence Forces work so closely with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and other Government Departments and Agencies to support measures to deal with these challenges. I would also like to highlight that a member of the Defence Forces is currently seconded to the Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn, Estonia. The Centre is involved in carrying out cyber-defence focused training awareness campaigns, workshops, and courses and developing and conducting cyber defence-focused exercises.
Finally, I would note that the establishment of an independent Commission on the Defence Forces underpins the Government's commitment to ensuring that the Defence Forces are fit for purpose, both in terms of meeting immediate requirements and also in terms of seeking to develop a longer term vision beyond 2030. Amongst the issues that the Commission is examining are Defence Force capabilities, structures and staffing in a number of areas. I expect that a report will be produced for consideration by Government before the end of the year.
Question No. 297 answered with Question No. 37.