Celebrating Cybersecurity Excellence at CyberExpo Ireland 2024

24th April 2024

The team at Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet were proud to sponsor the recent Cyber Expo Ireland (18th April 2024) as the official event training partner. The annual Cyber Expo Ireland, delivered by Renaissance, Ireland’s leading Data Security Distributor, brings together the whole cyber ecosystem – exhibitors, resellers, end users, IT experts and general business thought leaders – keen to understand what they can do to mitigate security risks to their business. Events like this serve as pivotal platforms where industry leaders, professionals, and enthusiasts converge to exchange insights, best practices, and innovative solutions.

Cyber Resilience in the Education Sector

Carmel Somers, Human Capital Strategist at Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet, led the dedicated stream titled Lessons in Security: Cyber Resilience in the Education Sector. From protecting student information to defending against sophisticated cyber threats, the sessions within the stream delved into the lessons learned from successful security strategies used within the education sector. Carmel was joined on stage by speakers from Atlantic Technological University, Admin By Request, Fastvue, Centripetal and Mastercard.

Speaking about the stream and the importance of protecting the educational sector from cyber attacks, Carmel said

“The education sector holds a treasure trove of personal data, intellectual property, and research that are attractive targets for cyber threat actors. With the shift towards digital learning platforms and the integration of technology in daily educational activities, our schools and universities have become prime targets for sophisticated cyber-attacks. Protecting this sector is not just about safeguarding information; it’s about ensuring the continuity of education and the protection of the futures of our young people”.

Partnership to deliver the GCA Cybersecurity Toolkit to Small Businesses

Earlier in the morning of the event, we were delighted to announce the launch of a partnership between Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet, Mastercard Ireland and the Global Cyber Alliance to provide the GCA Cybersecurity Toolkit for Small Businesses in Ireland.

Following the launch of the GCA Toolkit, Gill Thomas, Director of Engagement, Capacity & Resilience Program at Global Cyber Alliance, and Derek Pillar, Cyber & Physical Security Manager at Mastercard, participated in the CyberExpo event.

Derek engaged in a panel discussion titled “Lessons in Security: Cyber Resilience in the Education Sector”, where he discussed various cyber vulnerabilities that companies face. He highlighted a notable rise in cyber threats involving advanced generative AI technologies, which can replicate images and voices of individuals, thereby facilitating more sophisticated cyber attacks. Emphasising the need for vigilance, Derek pointed to the free GCA Toolkit as a crucial resource to assist SMEs in defending against these threats.

In the day’s final panel, Gill Thomas contributed to a dialogue on upcoming security trends and predictions. The discussion focused on pressing topics such as ransomware and Cybercrime-as-a-Service (CAAS). These discussions reinforced the imperative for organisations to perpetually enhance their cyber defence strategies in response to evolving cyber threats. Key recommendations included staying updated with the latest training, adopting cutting-edge security technologies, and adhering to new regulatory standards to ensure comprehensive cybersecurity practices in the future. Again the GCA Toolkit was highlighted as an excellent free source and starting point for SME’s to shore up their cyber defenses.