Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cybersecurity is operated through the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and operates out of University College Dublin, separate from here. My Department maintains contact with the computer security incident response team, CSIRT, in the National Cyber Security Centre which provides regular guidance and advice relating to Internet security alerts and threats. Prevention and mitigation measures recommended by the CSIRT are reviewed as soon as they are received and, where appropriate in our IT environment, implemented. We never release information on the number of attacks on the Department. The release by any organisation of any details relating to cyberattacks or specific measures taken to counter such attacks could expose vulnerabilities in their defences that could be exploited and provide potential attackers with useful information that would enable them to design more effective attacks.

In Austria, a hotel came under a cyberattack in which all the doors were locked and a ransom demanded. People could not get out. People who apparently know these things tell me the issue of the terrorist bomb will be surpassed by the ability to hack into driverless cars and use them for whatever purpose. Two years ago in America, attackers took over a driverless car and controlled its speed and direction remotely. One can imagine the implications. It is an issue for everybody. We have billions of digital content and technology assets, and they must be protected and safeguarded. Electromagnetic bursts can destroy and close down sections very quickly. How it works is beyond my understanding. However, I am informed by those who know that we should take these issues very seriously. The new president of University College Cork is an acknowledged expert in physics and has a great to deal of advice to offer in these matters.

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