Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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32. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the measures he is taking to improve Ireland’s cybersecurity strength in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21040/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Defence Forces and the Department of Defence work with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, which has the lead role in relation to cyber-security in Ireland, on an on-going basis in the delivery of measures to improve the cyber security of the State, as outlined in the National Cyber Security Strategy. This includes participation on the inter-departmental National Cyber Strategy Implementation Group, the provision of support to the National Cyber Security Centre and the secondment, through the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, of a member of the Defence Forces to the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn, Estonia. The Defence Forces are also members of, or observers to, a number of cyber-related PESCO projects.

In terms of cybersecurity, the primary role of the Defence Forces relates to the defence and security of their own networks and systems. This important role is being developed in the context of the High Level Action Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces and will grow in importance as threats in the cyber space increase.

For the Department of Defence, its new Technology Strategy sets out objectives to embed high quality cybersecurity tools and procedures to uplift security posture and mitigate risks against external threats. Policies and procedures are being updated in accordance with Public Sector Cyber Security Baseline Standards and the Department will adhere to best practice advice from the National Cyber Security Centre. Upskilling, additional training programmes, penetration testing and regular phishing tests continue to be undertaken to safeguard Department data and ensure that staff are equipped to address cybersecurity challenges as they arise.