Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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26. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the role of his Department or agencies under the auspices of his Department in cases in which the State is the victim of online hacks, scams or cyber frauds; the cases in which the State has been so impacted in the past 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49546/26]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will appreciate that State bodies have a duty to take steps to secure their systems and protect them from cyber attacks including online scams and cyber frauds which may undermine their cyber security.

An Garda Síochána are continually engaged in the detection and prosecution of criminal offences relating to cybercrime.

An Garda Síochána also continue to engage with telecommunications service providers regarding online scams and the identification of those involved in them.

The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) provide presentations to community, business and educational groups on a regular basis, relating to cyber enabled crimes, cyber dependent crimes and online information. The GNCCB also take part in cyber security events across Ireland, speaking to attendees on all issues relating to cyber crime.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which comes under the remit of my Department holds the lead role in the management of major cyber security incidents across government. This includes a role of monitoring ongoing threats to the network and information systems of public bodies and supporting those bodies who have been the subject of a cyber security incident.

The NCSC regularly publishes alerts, advisories and guidance documents on a range of cyber security related topics to assist in raising cyber security awareness.

There are existing information sharing arrangements between NCSC and An Garda Síochána to share cyber intelligence. Both organisations also work together to promote awareness of cyber risks among businesses and individuals.

The Deputy will also appreciate that for operational and security reasons it would not be appropriate for my Department to comment on the detail of specific investigations particularly those affecting state infrastructure as this could compromise the ongoing resilience of the State’s critical infrastructure.