Brian Cunningham - 59% increase cybersecurity spend in Face of Ireland

Almost three in five large businesses have increased cybersecurity spending because of the threat to their business, according to a major new global survey.

PwC’s 2017 Global State of Information Security Report, which surveyed 10,000 participants in 133 countries, found that 59% of respondents said they have increased cybersecurity spending as a result of digitization of their business ecosystem.

It found that more than two out of five large businesses were subject to so-called phishing scams, where criminals try to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, credit card details and even money.

The majority of organizations around the world -- 63% of survey respondents -- say they run IT services in the cloud. Additionally, approximately one-third of organizations were found to entrust finance and operations to cloud providers, reflecting the growing trust in cloud models.

The report found 56% of respondents currently require employees to complete privacy training, that 57% of businesses are turning to advanced authentication technologies to add an extra layer of security and improve trust among customers, and over half (57%) are using biometrics for authentication.

Organisations are beginning to update their cybersecurity safeguards, with 46% of respondents investing in a security strategy for the Internet of Things. Phishing is the most-cited vector of cybersecurity incidents this year, with 43% of large businesses reporting phishing incidents.

Pat Moran, PwC Ireland Cybersecurity Leader, said: “From my experience of working with clients in Ireland, the global survey findings are very relevant and are very well aligned. Clients are investing in security to provide them with a competitive advantage. I see more confidence from clients in leveraging from cloud based technologies to identify cyber threats.”

He said business leaders understood cybersecurity was a vital component to remain competitive.

“Organisations must make a budgetary commitment to the integration of cybersecurity with digitisation from the outset,” he added.c. Read More...

Brian Cunningham Face of Ireland | Dublin rings in New Year’s Eve with spectacular show

New Year’s Eve used to be a straightforward affair - a party somewhere, a countdown and then Auld Lang Syne.

It has not tended to mean watching a rowing boat being lifted out of the River Liffey and then being transported on a crane across to the roof of The Custom House.

Every year the New Year Festival Dublin puts on a more ambitious show. It started small with a torchlit procession through the streets of Dublin in years gone by, but nothing has surpassed the ambition of the performance staged by Fidget Feet outside the Custom House this New Year’s Eve.

Some 5,000 people queued patiently for entrance to the free event for which every ticket was snapped up well in advance. Others watched from across the River Liffey.

Spectators passed by a stall run by the Make a Wish Foundation, which offered them a chance to make a wish for the new year. 

The Custom House was turned into the biggest prop in Dublin for the event with drummers hanging precipitously from the roof.

A series of abseils and aerial dancers emerged from the River Liffey and passed over the heads of the awestruck crowd. 

The event culminated in two dancers spinning above the crowd like human Catherine Wheels.

It was an event for families especially those with young children that were too young to see in the New Year.

Jimmy Murray, his wife Antoinette and their three children along with other extended members of the family came from Cavan for the event and said it was well worth the journey.

“We’re going back to Cavan now to watch Mrs Brown’s Boys at 9.30pm,” Jimmy said. His daughter Ellen said her New Year’s ambition was simply “to make my own bed”.

Maria Corcoran and Peter Moran, as part of the Dublin Circus Project, were dressed as devils for the event with horns and a tail. What were their plans for New Year’s Eve? “Have a few drink and go back to hell,” said Peter.

Hanna Czebiolko and a friend arrived from Leeds via Poland. Dublin’s New Year’s Eve festival is attracting a large number of overseas visitors judging by the composition of the crowd.

“We feel there is so much to do and see here. There’s no time for everything,” she said.

She is going to the 3Countdown show at St Stephen’s Green South that was headlined by Walking on Cars, a band which has had a brilliant 2016 with their debut album Everything This Way becoming an international hit.

Dublin Gospel Choir and The Garda Band will host a free concert on New Year’s Day at 2pm at St Stephen’s Green. Read More...