A project co-funded by the EU's Digital Europe Programme
CYBER CORE
The Cyber CORE project's goal is primarily to elevate and strengthen Ireland's cyber security landscape, while aligning with objectives arising from the European Union Commision's NIS2 Directive, as well as the overarching EU cyber security strategy.
The concept of a CORE was born directly from Ireland's experience of responding to the 2021 HSE Ransomware Attack.
It was necessary to respond to this sector-wide cyber crisis with significant co-ordination and response from entities and organisations right across public and private businesses within the State.
Launching in April 2022 and consisting of representatives from twenty-eight Government
Departments and Agencies, the Government Cyber Security Co-ordination and Response Network
(GovCORE) was established.
The concept behind a CORE is to promote more proactive co-operation within sectors, which in time will aid in developing high-levels of trust and interaction across the network.
In the first instance, the CyberCORE project aims to take senior cyber security and threat intelligence specialists from critical entities in key sectors to develop:
- threat intelligence sharing,
- resource pooling in the event of incidents,
- collective engagement in education, training, and exercises.
Towards the latter half of 2023, the NCSC was successful under the Digital Europe Programme for European co-funding aimed at further developing and strenghening the CORE Network - and so the Cyber CORE Project was born!
The project formally started in January 2024 and will run for three years. Its mission is to establish, mature and maintain efficient and effective cyber Co-ordination groups (COREs) across the Government, Energy, Digital, Health, Local Government, Transport, and Education sectors. Each CORE is tailored to the unique needs of each specifc sector, so as to ensure their relevance, appropriateness, and sustainability throughout the life-time of the project, and beyond.
CORE meetings are generally held on a quarterly-basis, with facility for more frequent meetings to be held as required, at the level required (i.e. at management or operational level).
SME CORE
is part of a wider cyber security network, responsible for advising and informing SMEs of best practice in network information security. Cyber security is not just an information technology problem, but an integral part of an overall business strategy. Even a minor cyber security incident can have devastating impacts on a small business in Ireland. The SME website provides free, practical and accessible guidance to help businesses improve their cyber security awareness, preparedness and protections against evolving online threats.
Whether you are starting your cyber security journey or looking to improve existing measures, the website offers trusted advice tailored to the needs of Irish businesses.
The project co-funded by the European Union, through the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC).
