Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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225. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to upgrade the IT system in her Department and bodies under her aegis with a view to maximising the protection against hackers. [28690/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security. Our technical staff operate and monitor all relevant systems to the highest levels, and are closely engaged with experts in the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure that we follow best practice as it relates to all aspects of cybersecurity.

For operational and security reasons, we are advised by the NCSC not to disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise those efforts. In particular, it is not considered appropriate to disclose information which might assist criminals to identify potential vulnerabilities in departmental cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore it is not considered appropriate to disclose particular arrangements in place in relation to cyber security tools and services and my Department does not comment on operational security matters.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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226. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if additional security measures will be taken to impede and prevent the intrusion of hackers in her Department’s IT system and to ensure an early warning system is in place which will trigger an ultimate defence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28708/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security. Our technical staff operate and monitor all relevant systems to the highest levels, and are closely engaged with experts in the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure that we follow best practice as it relates to all aspects of cybersecurity.

For operational and security reasons, we are advised by the NCSC not to disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise those efforts. In particular, it is not considered appropriate to disclose information which might assist criminals to identify potential vulnerabilities in departmental cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore it is not considered appropriate to disclose particular arrangements in place in relation to cyber security tools and services and my Department does not comment on operational security matters.