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Small firms warned to prepare for potential cyber attacks

/ 5th October 2022 /
BP Reporter

Gardai and Government ministers have warned small firms to prepare for potential ransomware attacks, saying that the number of such incidents targeting small and medium businesses has increased.

The joint awareness campaign was launched yesterday, for October's European Cyber Security Month.

The campaign will be warning vulnerable people such as the elderly to be aware of phishing scams, where a message or link asks for personal details.

Junior minister Ossian Smyth said that at the time of the cyber attack on the HSE in May 2021, there was "a lot of concentration from criminals on the very large, what they call 'big game hunting', big targets".

"They would attack a multinational organisation and try and get €10-20million out of them," he said. "That's changed. We're seeing a lot of attacks on much smaller organisations, on SMEs."

In Association with

Assistant Garda Commissioner Paul Cleary advised companies and entities of all sizes to have a plan in place for a potential cyber attack.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: "We're asking people to be prepared, to be aware of those risks.

Small firms
Cyber attacks
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: "We're asking people to be prepared, to be aware of those risks." Photograph: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

"Be suspicious of anything that you get that you're not aware of, back up separately, make sure you've updated security, don't mix your work and your personal equipment if possible, be it phones or laptops.

"Report any suspicious criminal activity, and just think before you click."

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