Cyber security – Ireland Offers Opportunities for Finnish Cyber Security Expertise

Ireland is a small island, but as far as cyber security opportunities are concerned, it is a big fish thanks to its place as a hub for data storage, ICT and pharma companies in Europe.

Ireland’s economy is booming in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the reasons for the continued growth rates is that the Irish economy is based heavily on attracting foreign investments in ICT and pharmaceutical sectors. Both sectors are very much in demand now and both also prone to cyber attacks.

As highly digitalized countries, Finland and Ireland have a shared interest in collaborating for safer cyberspace. Our critical societal functions and the daily lives of our citizens are increasingly dependent on the use of ICT, and cyber security has become vital to our prosperity.  Ireland’s National Cyber Security Strategy from December 2019 states that its aim is to “protect our nation, to develop our cyber sector, and to deepen our international engagement on the future of the internet”.

Several factors make cyber security a significant issue in Ireland. Ireland hosts the European headquarters of many of the world’s largest technology companies, and it is estimated to be home to more than 30% of all EU data. Ireland is home to the top five worldwide security companies, more than 40 multinational companies with cyber security operations and has over 60 indigenous cyber security companies and start-ups. COVID-19 has resulted in a great leap forward in terms of connectedness and remote working. According to KPMG, the biggest cyber security challenge facing many companies in Ireland at present relates to remote working.

Ireland is advanced in its digital development, but it needs to strengthen its security preparedness. This has become even more urgent after the ransomware attack in May 2021 against the Irish health authorities. Cyber sector funding will likely be increased following the attack.

Great potential for cyber security cooperation 

Ireland’s economic success is, therefore, closely bound with the ability to provide a secure operating environment for these companies as well as public services. Finland has core strengths that are well suited for cyberspace.  We have a comprehensive security system, we have some of the top-notch cyber security firms, we invest in research, and provide a conducive environment for cyber security start-ups and enable their scalability.

Finland’s telecommunications strengths provide a real opportunity through the Science Foundation Ireland research centre CONNECT to collaborate on the topic of 5G/6G and Quantum.


The Cyber Cluster Ireland and Finnish Information Security Cluster (FISC) have already started collaboration with the support of the Dublin Embassy. Together with Business Finland we are happy and ready to continue to support overall cooperation on cyber security as well as individual firms that are interested in the Irish cyber security opportunities.

 

Text: Ambassador Raili Lahnalampi, Embassy of Finland in Dublin