Ireland: Cybersecurity

The European Data Protection Board and European Data Protection Supervisor have issued their Joint Opinion on the European Commission's proposed Cybersecurity Act 2 and amendments to the NIS 2 Directive. While generally supportive of strengthened cybersecurity measures, the opinion emphasizes the need to balance effective security protocols against fundamental rights to privacy and data protection, offering specific recommendations to ensure compliance with EU data protection law.

Dr Barry Scannell and tech entrepreneur Sean Blanchfield explore the transformative shift from AI copilots to autonomous agentic AI systems that are already functioning as digital workers within organisations. The discussion delves into how these AI agents are reviewing contracts, monitoring compliance, managing projects, and writing software, while examining the critical implications for governance, security, data protection, and the future of professional work.

This comprehensive update examines recent regulatory developments across European financial services, from the Central Bank of Ireland's policy priorities amid global uncertainty to EIOPA's consultation on insurance guarantee schemes...

In advance of the proposed transposition of the NIS 2 Directive in Ireland (currently expected in early 2026), the National Cyber Security Center ("NCSC") has published its 2025 National Cyber Risk Assessment...

The EU's proposed Digital Omnibus Package will align and tighten cross-regulation obligations in 2025, with immediate impact on data governance...

The NIS2 Directive ("NIS2"), building on the foundations of the original NIS Directive introduced in 2016, is aimed at enhancing and further harmonising the EU's cybersecurity framework.

ENISA has published a Handbook for Cyber Stress Tests. It has been developed as guidance for national or sectoral authorities overseeing cybersecurity and resilience of critical sectors, at national level, regional or EU level under NIS2 Directive (Directive (EU) 2022/2555).

On 30 April 2025, Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland ("Central Bank"), Gabriel Makhlouf, delivered a speech ("Speech") at a Dublin Chamber event.

As Ireland prepares to assume the EU Council Presidency from July to December 2026, directors face a strategically significant period that will shape regulatory frameworks and business priorities across security, competitiveness, and institutional values. With influence over legislative timing and the negotiation of a €2 trillion EU budget spanning 2028-2034, this Presidency presents both governance challenges and opportunities that warrant early board-level engagement.