LARA CONNAUGHTON

Broad Spectrum of Skills & Support for Cybersecurity

This paper focuses on ‘cybersecurity on the edge’ in the EU and the electronic communications sector, arguing that policy needs to drive (i) cross-functional teams at both public and private organisations, and (ii) support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to understand the relevant legislative and regulatory frameworks.

As digital security continues to climb higher on agendas for policy makers, firms and regulators, the language of cybersecurity fundamentals is now too important to be only understood by tech experts.

Approximately only one fifth of SMEs in Ireland are aware of the necessary cybersecurity measures required to protect their data/ digital assets. With the designation in the EU of ‘gatekeepers’ (under the DMA) and ‘VLOPs’ (under the DSA), it is worth noting that cybersecurity capability may also impact competition dynamics in terms of new start ups being able to enter and compete in digital markets.