Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 March 2025
416. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of actual and attempted cyberattacks on his Department during each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, the countries of origin of those attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14692/25]
View answer417. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total sum spent on cybersecurity measures within his Department during each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. [14674/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 416 and 417 together.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is an operational arm of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), and is the primary cyber security authority in the State. The NCSC provides a range of cyber-security services to operators of Critical National Infrastructure, including all Government Departments and Agencies.
The Department has previously been advised by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) that, for security reasons, not to disclose any details of its cyber security operations (including details of commercial relationships, audits/exercises and expenditure) which could in any way compromise the Department’s information security posture. In particular, it is not considered appropriate to disclose any information, which might assist malicious actors to identify potential vulnerabilities.
