Yesterday, cyber security leaders from across Europe gathered at the Convention Centre Dublin for the National Cyber Security Centre’s flagship conference, part of Ireland’s EU Presidency.
Speaking there, Dr Richard Browne, Director of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), warned that practically every cyberattack now involves AI, whether from criminal gangs or nation states. AI is helping defenders find and fix weaknesses, but it is also letting attackers do more, faster. As he put it, we are now “in a race against time”.
On the same day, the Government launched a new National Cyber Security Strategy to address the latest risks facing Ireland, including those posed by AI. The threat has changed, and businesses of every size need to keep up.
Small businesses are not too small to target
Many SME owners assume attackers only go after large organisations. In reality, smaller businesses are often easier targets. They hold valuable data, handle payments and connect to larger customers and suppliers, but rarely have a dedicated security team.
The threats discussed today are the same ones Irish SMEs face every week:
- Ransomware that locks your files and halts trading
- Phishing and email fraud that trick staff into sharing passwords or paying fake invoices
- AI-powered attacks that make scams more convincing and harder to spot
- Supply chain risk, where a weakness in one business opens the door to others
Your customers are asking harder questions
New EU rules such as NIS2 place stricter security duties on larger organisations. Many SMEs are not directly covered, but their customers are. That means more security questionnaires, more contract requirements and more pressure to prove your business is protected.
Good security is no longer just about avoiding an attack. It is about winning and keeping business.
The right support makes the difference
Few SMEs can justify a full in-house security team. That is where a managed security partner comes in. The right partner gives you the protection, monitoring and expertise of a large organisation, at a cost that suits a smaller one.
Good support should help you:
- Understand where your business is exposed
- Put the right protection in place
- Spot threats early and respond quickly
- Recover fast if something goes wrong
- Show customers and insurers that you take security seriously
Why ITM Tech
ITM Tech has supported Irish businesses since 2009, and today works with over 200 SMEs across Kildare, Dublin and broader Leinster area. As a managed security services provider (MSSP), cyber security sits at the heart of what we do.
Our services include:
- Cyber security packages tailored to SMEs
- Threat detection and endpoint security
- Microsoft 365 security
- Backup and disaster recovery
- Ongoing managed IT support
We are a local team based in Naas, Co. Kildare. When you call, you speak to people who know your business, not a ticket queue.
Start with a conversation
If today’s headlines have you wondering how protected your business really is, we’re here to help. Talk to the ITM Tech team about a security review and a clear plan for what to do next.
Call 045 409 984 or get in touch at itmtech.ie.
Sources
- Brian O’Donovan, RTÉ News, 7 October 2026 (full article)
