Cormac Devlin
Ceist:224. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence the progress made to date on the Joint Cyber Defence Command Strategy agreed in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46755/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 June 2026
Ceisteanna (224)
Freagraí scríofa
In 2024, following the establishment of the Joint Cyber Defence Command the Defence Forces Cyber-Defence Strategy 2024 to 2027 was published. This Strategy sets out a comprehensive road map to ensure that the Defence Forces achieve operational capability in this domain.
There are 16 strategic priorities contained in the Defence Forces Cyber Defence Strategy. The top 4 of which are:
To prevent and defend against cyber-attacks on Defence Forces’ networks.
To develop a comprehensive programme of training, in cyber related subjects.
To identify and protect critical defence infrastructure and increase resilience to cyber-attacks.
To conduct ongoing risk assessments to evaluate the potential impact and likelihood of cyber-attacks on Defence Forces’ networks.
The Joint Cyber Defence Command is designed to conduct full-spectrum cyber operations, enabling the Defence Forces to defend robustly against cyber threats, support their operations both at home and overseas, and enhance resilience in the cyber domain.
My department is currently working with the Public Appointments Service to recruit civilian cyber specialists who will be integrated into this Cyber Unit, with plans to fill these positions as soon as possible. So far, the Public Appointments Service has launched a campaign to recruit for the role of Principal Officer and Cyber Lead. Additionally, competitions have been initiated to fill roles at the Engineer Grade 1 level. These roles will focus on cyber threat intelligence and cyber resilience.
Additionally, officials from my department and the Defence Forces work closely with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, as well as the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which serves as the lead government department for cyber security in Ireland, to support measures aimed at assess the risks and addressing challenges in the cyber domain.