Cyber Ireland and NI Cyber sign MoU

Pat LArkin, Simon Whitaker. Pic: Mark Stedman

Cyber Ireland and NI Cyber have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlining shared goals for the organisations; namely enhancing cross-border connections, supporting industry-academic research and development collaboration, with a view to raising the international profile of the all-island cybersecurity sector. 

The announcement coincided with the launch of a comprehensive report commissioned by Cyber Ireland and NI Cyber, with support from InterTradeIreland’s Synergy Programme providing the first in-depth map of the all-island cyber security ecosystem. 

The "All-island Cyber Security Sector Research Report", delivers an extensive overview of the island’s cybersecurity sector.

The report finds that this dynamic industry generated an estimated €3.2 billion in revenue and contributed approximately €1.5 billion in gross value added (GVA) in the most recent financial year, underscoring its enormous economic influence on both sides of the border .

The study reveals that across Ireland and Northern Ireland, the cybersecurity ecosystem is made up of 632 firms employing over 10,600 professionals.

One particularly striking finding is that Irish firms have experienced an average annual revenue growth of 13.4% over the past two years. These metrics place the all-island cybersecurity sector among the largest in Western Europe, highlighting its pivotal role in driving innovation and creating high-quality jobs in the region .

In addition to the impressive financial and employment figures, the report sheds light on both the strengths and challenges within the industry. It notes that the sector benefits significantly from a mix of multinational companies and indigenous enterprises, with 41% of cybersecurity firms headquartered in Ireland and 7% in Northern Ireland. However, policy gaps, procurement challenges, and security clearance issues have posed obstacles to seamless cross-border collaboration. In response, Cyber Ireland and NI Cyber have taken decisive action by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cross-border connectivity, fostering industry-academic research and development collaborations, and raising the international profile of the all-island market .

Mr Eoin Byrne, Cluster Manager at Cyber Ireland, stated:
“Cybersecurity is not just a technological issue, it’s a strategic economic opportunity. This report demonstrates the strength of the all-island cybersecurity sector and the huge potential to improve our cyber resilience and drive economic growth by working together".

Joanne English, Cluster Manager at NI Cyber, added:
"The signing of the MoU between Cyber Ireland and NI Cyber is a major step forward in that journey. The cybersecurity threats we face don’t stop at borders. Through enhanced collaboration, we can boost innovation and better support our companies and communities. This report and its findings highlight the opportunity for our respective clusters.  The MoU paves the way for joint action and shared success. 42 cybersecurity companies already have active offices in both NI and Ireland, which shows a clear appetite for cross-border collaboration, and we must now work to realise the opportunities of a more integrated all-island cybersecurity market.”

Ultimately, the new all-island cybersecurity report not only provides an accurate snapshot of the current state of the industry but also serves as a strategic roadmap for future growth. However as Ireland (North ans South)  continues to face evolving cyber threats, building a more integrated and resilient cybersecurity market will be key to sustaining both local and international competitiveness and more economic growth for both nations.

Download the full report

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References

RTÉ 

LinkedIn

www.thinkbusiness.ie

cyberireland.ie

Silicon Republic

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