NCSI :: Ireland

Archived data from 2016-2023

26. Ireland 75.32

26th	National Cyber Security Index
46th	Global Cybersecurity Index
20th	ICT Development Index
20th	Networked Readiness Index

Population		6.4million
Area (km2)		70.3thousand
GDP per capita ($)		79.9thousand

NCSI FULFILMENT PERCENTAGE

NCSI DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE 3 years All data

RANKING TIMELINE

NCSI Update		Data source
23 Jan 2023		Government officials
29 Apr 2022		Government officials

Version 23 Jan 2023

GENERAL CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

1. Cyber security policy development 5/7 71%

5
7 71%
- 1.1. Cyber security policy unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A central government entity (ministry or equivalent) has a specialised official or unit responsible for national cyber security policy development.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/3877a-government-agrees-significant-expansion-of-the-national-cyber-security-centre/
  
  The Director (of the NCSC) will have responsibility for building and leading the NCSC, further developing the operational capacity and expertise of the NCSC and supporting the development of the policy and legislative framework relating to cyber security in the State
  
  https://www.ncsc.gov.ie/
- 1.2. Cyber security policy coordination format 0
  
  0
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has a committee, council, working group, etc. for national-level cyber security policy coordination.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
- 1.3. Cyber security strategy 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has established a national-level cyber security strategy or other equivalent document.
  Accepted references
  Valid official document
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.ncsc.gov.ie/pdfs/National_Cyber_Security_Strategy.pdf
  
  National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024
- 1.4. Cyber security strategy implementation plan 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The central government has established an implementation plan to the national-level cyber security strategy or other equivalent document.
  Accepted references
  Valid official document or its enforcement act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.ncsc.gov.ie/pdfs/National_Cyber_Security_Strategy.pdf
  
  Appendix 1 List of Actions (pages 51 - 59) of the National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024
2. Cyber threat analysis and information 1/5 20%

1
5 20%
- 2.1. Cyber threats analysis unit 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A central government entity has a national-level unit that is specialised in national strategic cyber threat situation analysis.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
- 2.2. Public cyber threat reports are published annually 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The public part of the national cyber threat situation analysis is published at least once a year.
  Accepted references
  Official public report
  
  Evidence
- 2.3. Cyber safety and security website 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Public authorities provide at least one cyber safety and security website for cyber security and ICT professionals, and regular users.
  Accepted references
  Website
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/be-safe-online/
  
  https://www.webwise.ie/
3. Education and professional development 9/9 100%

9
9 100%
- 3.1. Cyber safety competencies in primary or secondary education 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Primary or secondary education curricula include cyber safety / computer safety competences.
  Accepted references
  Official curriculum or official report
  
  Evidence
  
  https://assets.gov.ie/27511/0b1dcff060c64be2867350deea28549a.pdf
  
  Page 25 of the Action Plan for Online Safety:
  
  "Online Safety Programme for Primary and Post Primary
  
  Both Primary and Post Primary Schools currently provide formalised education on Online Safety. The Department of Education and Skills provides for Online Safety through a range of programmes, including the formal curriculum content, teacher professional development, strategies around wellbeing, bullying and the use of innovative materials."
  
  https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ966666.pdf
  
  Pages 4-5
- 3.2. Bachelor’s level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at Bachelor’s or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.wit.ie/courses/bsc-hons-in-applied-computing-computer-forensics-and-security
  
  https://www.itcarlow.ie/courses/type/undergraduate-cao-courses/computing-networking-courses/bsc-science-hons-cybercrime-itsecurity-cw258.htm
  
  https://www.tudublin.ie/study/undergraduate/courses/computing-dig-forensics-and-cyber-sec-tu863/?courseType=Undergraduate&keywords=Digital%20Forensics
- 3.3. Master’s level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at Master’s or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.lyit.ie/CourseDetails/D303/LY_KCYBS_M/Cybersecurity
  
  http://www.itb.ie/StudyatITB/bn528.html
  
  https://www.griffith.ie/faculties/computing/courses/msc-network-and-information-security
- 3.4. PhD level cyber security programme 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is at least one cyber security / electronic information security focused programme at PhD or equivalent level.
  Accepted references
  Accredited study programme
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.ucdclinton.ie/study/phd-programme
  
  The UCD Clinton Institute invites applications for its PhD programme. they seek high quality doctoral candidates of proven academic excellence and welcome PhD projects in areas in which the Institute can provide expert supervision including Cyber Security
- 3.5. Cyber security professional association 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a professional association of cyber/electronic information security specialists, managers or auditors.
  Accepted references
  Website
  
  Evidence
  
  https://engage.isaca.org/irelandchapter/home
4. Contribution to global cyber security 4/6 67%

4
6 67%
- 4.1. Convention on Cybercrime 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country has ratified the Convention on Cybercrime.
  Accepted references
  Official website of the convention
  
  Evidence
- 4.2. Representation in international cooperation formats 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government is regularly represented in a cooperation format that is dedicated to international cyber security (e.g. FIRST).
  Accepted references
  Official website of the cooperation format
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.sei.cmu.edu/our-work/cybersecurity-center-development/national-csirts/
  
  CERT-IE
  
  https://www.first.org/members/teams/csirt-ie
  
  https://www.trusted-introducer.org/directory/teams/csirt-ie.html
- 4.3. International cyber security organisation hosted by the country 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  A regional or international cyber security organisation is hosted by the country.
  Accepted references
  Organisation’s official website
  
  Evidence
  
  https://community.icttf.org/
  
  Unit 8, Kinsealy Business Park, Kinsealy Lane, Malahide, Co Dublin, Ireland, K36 CX92
- 4.4. Cyber security capacity building for other countries 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country has (co-)financed or (co-)organised at least one capacity building project for another country in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Official website or project document
  
  Evidence

BASELINE CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

5. Protection of digital services 5/5 100%

5
5 100%
- 5.1. Cyber security responsibility for digital service providers 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  According to legislation, digital service providers (except micro and small enterprises): (1) must manage cyber/ICT risks or (2) must implement established cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/360/made/en/pdf
  
  See Art 21: Security measures to be taken by relevant digital service providers
- 5.2. Cyber security standard for the public sector 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Public sector digital service providers must implement (1) cyber/ICT security requirements (defined by legislation) or (2) a widely recognised security standard.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://assets.gov.ie/205834/1727388a-02d6-47d4-bebe-38774da2f321.pdf
  
  NCSC Baseline Standards
- 5.3. Competent supervisory authority 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a competent authority in the field of cyber/information security that has the power to supervise public and private digital service providers regarding the implementation of cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/360/made/en/pdf
  
  See Part 2, Art 8
6. Protection of essential services 5/6 83%

5
6 83%
- 6.1. Operators of essential services are identified 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a legal act that allows to identify operators of essential services.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/360/made/en/pdf
  
  See Part 4, Art 12: Designation of Operators of Essential Services
- 6.2. Cyber security requirements for operators of essential services 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  According to the legislation, operators of essential services must manage cyber/ICT risks.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/360/made/en/pdf
  
  See Art 17: Security requirements in respect of operators of essential services
- 6.3. Competent supervisory authority 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a competent authority in the field of cyber/information security that has the power to supervise operators of essential services, regarding cyber/information security requirements.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/360/made/en/pdf
  
  See Art 7: Competent authority for operators of essential services
- 6.4. Regular monitoring of security measures 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Operators of essential services must regularly (at least once every 3 years) provide evidence of the effective implementation of cyber/information security policies (e.g. audit result, documentation, specific report).
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
7. E-identification and trust services 8/9 89%

8
9 89%
- 7.1. Unique persistent identifier 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government provides a unique persistent identifier to all citizens, residents, and legal entities. For example, the identifier remains the same after document expiration and name change.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2005/act/26/section/262/enacted/en/html#sec262
- 7.2. Requirements for cryptosystems 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Requirements for cryptosystems in the field of trust services are regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 7.3. Electronic identification 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Electronic identification is regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32014R0910&from=EN
- 7.4. Electronic signature 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  E-signature is regulated
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32014R0910&from=EN
  
  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2000/act/27/enacted/en/print
- 7.5. Timestamping 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Timestamping is regulated.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32014R0910&from=EN
- 7.6. Electronic registered delivery service 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Electronic registered delivery service between state entities, citizens and private sector entities is regulated. The service provides legally binding data exchange and guarantees the confidentiality and integrity of information.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32014R0910&from=EN
- 7.7. Competent supervisory authority 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is an authority responsible for the supervision of qualified trust service providers.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.dccae.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Internet-Policy/cyber-security/trust-service-providers/Pages/Supervision-of-CSPs-issuing-qualified-certificates.aspx
8. Protection of personal data 4/4 100%

4
4 100%
- 8.1. Personal data protection legislation 1
  
  1
  1
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a legal act for personal data protection.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.dataprotection.ie/en/dpc-guidance/law/data-protection-legislation
  
  From 25 May 2018 the key legislative frameworks are:
  
  General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
  
  Data Protection Act 2018
  
  the “Law Enforcement Directive” (Directive (EU) 2016/680) which has been transposed into Irish law by way of the Data Protection Act 2018
  
  the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003
  
  the 2011 “ePrivacy Regulations” (S.I. No. 336 of 2011 – the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Privacy And Electronic Communications) Regulations 2011)
  
  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/act/7/enacted/en/html
  
  Data Protection Act 2018
- 8.2. Personal data protection authority 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is an independent public supervisory authority that is responsible for personal data protection.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.dataprotection.ie/en/about/background
  
  Data Protection Commission (DPC)

INCIDENT AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT INDICATORS

9. Cyber incidents response 6/6 100%

6
6 100%
- 9.1. Cyber incidents response unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has a unit (CSIRT, CERT, CIRT, etc.) that is specialised in national-level cyber incident detection and response.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.ncsc.gov.ie/CSIRT/
  
  CSIRT-IE is the body within the NCSC that provides assistance to constituents in responding to cyber security incidents at a national level for Ireland.
- 9.2. Reporting responsibility 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Digital service providers and operators of essential services have an obligation to notify appointed government authorities of cyber security incidents.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/360/made/en/pdf
  
  See Art 18: Incident notification by operators of essential services and Art 22: Incident notification by a relevant digital service provider
- 9.3. Single point of contact for international coordination 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has designated a single point of contact for international cyber security coordination.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.ncsc.gov.ie
  
  The NCSC will also be designated as the National Competent Authority single point of contact for the purposes of the EU Network and Information Security Directive.
10. Cyber crisis management 3/5 60%

3
5 60%
- 10.1. Cyber crisis management plan 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has established a crisis management plan for large-scale cyber incidents.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
- 10.2. National-level cyber crisis management exercise 2
  
  2
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has conducted a national-level cyber crisis management exercise or a crisis management exercise with a cyber component in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/4da77-national-cyber-security-centre-conducts-successful-emergency-exercise-simulating-cyberattack-on-the-energy-sector/
  
  The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has held a successful emergency exercise – simulating the national response to a hypothetical cyber incident affecting Ireland’s energy sector. Published on 25 November 2022
- 10.3. Participation in international cyber crisis exercises 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country's team has participated in an international cyber crisis management exercise in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0b5b3-national-cyber-security-centre-hse-and-major-health-sector-bodies-participate-in-europe-wide-cyber-exercise/
  
  The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the Health Service Executive (HSE) and a number of hospitals and pharmaceutical providers have participated in a large-scale European cyber exercise. Cyber Europe 2022, organised by the European Cyber Security Agency (ENISA), saw participation from 29 countries and over 800 cyber security experts. The exercise tested participants’ response to a simulated major cyber-attack on health services and infrastructures in Europe.
  
  https://www.enisa.europa.eu/news/enisa-news/eu-member-states-test-rapid-cyber-crisis-management
  
  "CySOPEx 2021 is testing for the first time today the procedures for prompt and effective cyber crisis management in the EU to face large-scale, cross border cyber-attacks. (...) All Member States and the European Commission are taking part in the exercise (...)."
- 10.4. Operational support of volunteers in cyber crises 0
  
  0
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The procedures for using volunteers in the field of cyber security are established by legislation.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
11. Fight against cybercrime 7/9 78%

7
9 78%
- 11.1. Cybercrimes are criminalised 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Cybercrimes are defined by legislation.
  Accepted references
  Legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2017/act/11/enacted/en/html
  
  Criminal Justice (Offences Relating to Information Systems) Act 2017
  
  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2011/act/3/enacted/en/pdf
  
  Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011
- 11.2. Cybercrime unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a government entity with a specific function of combatting cybercrime.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/organised-serious-crime/garda-national-cyber-crime-bureau-gnccb-/
  
  Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB)
- 11.3. Digital forensics unit 3
  
  3
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  There is a government entity with a specific function of digital forensics.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/organised-serious-crime/garda-national-cyber-crime-bureau-gnccb-/
  
  Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB)
- 11.4. 24/7 contact point for international cybercrime 0
  
  0
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The government has designated an international 24/7 contact point for cybercrimes.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
12. Military cyber operations 1/6 17%

1
6 17%
- 12.1. Cyber operations unit 0
  
  0
  3
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Military forces have a unit (cyber command, etc.) that is specialised in planning and conducting cyber operations.
  Accepted references
  Official website or legal act
  
  Evidence
- 12.2. Cyber operations exercise 0
  
  0
  2
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  Military forces have conducted a cyber operations exercise or an exercise with a cyber operations component in the country in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
- 12.3. Participation in international cyber exercises 1
  
  1
  1
  
  Requirements
  
  Criteria
  The country's military team has participated in an international cyber operations exercise in the last 3 years.
  Accepted references
  Exercise document/website or press release
  
  Evidence
  
  https://www.act.nato.int/cyber-coalition
  
  Ireland have competed in NATO cyber coalition for the past many years

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The information provided on the NCSI website is based on publicly available evidence materials. The appearance in the index and subsequent ranking is commensurate to the existence and public availability of such information. The NCSI links to third party websites and information. The NCSI and eGA are not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of third party website information.

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Archived data from 2016-2023

26. Ireland 75.32

NCSI FULFILMENT PERCENTAGE

NCSI DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE 3 years All data

RANKING TIMELINE

Version 23 Jan 2023 Choose a version 23 Jan 2023 29 Apr 2022 27 Sep 2021 8 Nov 2018 23 Jan 2018

GENERAL CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

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BASELINE CYBER SECURITY INDICATORS

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Version 23 Jan 2023