In This Issue:

  1. Russian Hackers Target Irish Websites Amid Elections

    Russian-based hackers targeted several Irish websites in the lead-up to the local and European elections. The attacks aimed to disrupt online services and influence public opinion. The hackers employed various tactics, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and phishing schemes. Irish cybersecurity agencies collaborated with international partners to mitigate the threats and bolster defences. Despite these efforts, the incidents highlighted vulnerabilities and underscored the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures, particularly during critical periods like elections.

    Source: https://www.irishtimes.com/technology/2024/06/09/russian-based-hackers-targeted-irish-websites-in-run-up-to-local-and-european-elections/

  2. Irish Team Wins Gold in WorldSkills Cybersecurity Challenge

    An Irish team triumphed at the WorldSkills Global Skills Challenge 2024 in Australia. The team, comprising Mark Drinan and Luke Woodside, mentored by Dr. George O’Mahony from Munster Technological University (MTU), secured Ireland's first win in the WorldSkills Cybersecurity Competition. They tackled a simulated cyber-attack scenario, performing digital forensics and creating detailed reports. This victory underscores Ireland's commitment to high-quality cybersecurity education and training. The team will now prepare for the WorldSkills International Cybersecurity Competition in Lyon this September.

    Source: https://chamber.corkchamber.ie/news/details/news-release-17-06-2024-06-17-2024

  3. Scarlett Johansson Speaks Out Against AI-Generated Misinformation by OpenAI

    Scarlett Johansson has publicly addressed her ongoing legal battle with OpenAI, following claims that the company's chatbot falsely generated statements suggesting a romantic relationship with her. Johansson emphasised the significant impact of AI-generated misinformation on personal reputations and called for stronger regulatory measures and ethical guidelines in AI development. This clash highlights broader concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology and the need for increased accountability and transparency within the industry.

    Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm559l5g529o

  4. Irish Businesses to Face Fines of Up to €10 Million Under New EU Cybersecurity Directive

    A new EU directive, effective in Ireland from October 2024, mandates enhanced cybersecurity measures for around 4,000 businesses. The expanded Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2) holds senior executives personally liable and imposes potential fines of up to €10 million for non-compliance. The directive aims to ensure that essential and important entities bolster their cyber vigilance and protect sensitive data, reflecting the EU's commitment to robust cybersecurity standards.

    To ensure your board is prepared, explore HLB Ireland's Directors Cyber Training service for comprehensive guidance and support.

    Source: https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/04/29/carol-murphy-businesses-need-to-prepare-for-new-eu-cybersecurity-rules-or-risk-fines-and-executives-is-being-suspended/

 

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