eir business launches cyber support scheme for Irish SMEs

eir business has launched a €2.5 million scheme to provide cybersecurity support to 2,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in Ireland. The programme will provide €1,250 in funded support to each participating business.

Called Cyber Resilience 360, the initiative is open to Irish SMEs with 10 or more employees. It includes a 60-minute virtual consultation with an eir business cybersecurity specialist, an assessment of cyber risks and a tailored 90-day action plan.

The launch follows research commissioned by the telecoms group, which estimated that cyber risk could be costing the Irish SME economy up to €3.4 billion a year. It also found that affected businesses lose an average of 18.6 working days a year to cyber-related disruption.

The findings suggest that repeated lower-level incidents are a major source of disruption, rather than only large single attacks. According to the research, micro and small businesses that experience cyber incidents face an average of four to five incidents a year, rising to as many as seven for medium-sized businesses.

The estimated median cost of each incident is about €8,700. The report also found that preparedness affects the scale of disruption. Organisations judged to have lower readiness face more than 30 days of cyber-related disruption annually, compared with about five days for highly prepared organisations.

Oliver Loomes, Chief Executive Officer of eir, linked the programme to the role smaller businesses play in the wider economy.

"Ireland's economic resilience depends on the strength of its SMEs. They support jobs, deliver essential services and drive growth in communities across the country. As businesses become increasingly digital, protecting their ability to operate securely and confidently is critical. By investing €2.5 million in practical cyber support for 2,000 Irish SMEs, we are helping them strengthen their resilience and continue to play their vital role in Ireland's economic future," Loomes said.

The programme is aimed at companies that may not have in-house cyber specialists and will be delivered online.

Catherine Ardagh, Minister of State, said: "SMEs are at the heart of Ireland's economy and their ability to embrace digital technology confidently is increasingly important to their competitiveness and growth. At the same time, increased digitalisation means businesses need to be equipped to understand and manage cyber risk.

"Initiatives such as Cyber Resilience 360 can help translate awareness into practical action, giving SMEs access to expertise and a clear pathway towards strengthening their resilience. I welcome eir business's investment and its focus on helping Irish SMEs build the capability and confidence they need to succeed in an increasingly digital economy."

Research findings

The underlying study, titled The Hidden Cost of Cyber Risk, used survey data from more than 260 IT decision-makers in Irish SMEs, alongside external data and economic modelling. It said its estimates were intended to illustrate the scale of the issue across the market, rather than predict outcomes for individual companies.

Susan Brady, Managing Director of eir business, said: "For Ireland's SMEs, cyber risk is no longer simply an IT issue. It is a business performance issue that can affect productivity, customer service and a company's ability to grow. Our research highlighted the scale of the challenge, but it also delivered an encouraging message: greater preparedness can help businesses reduce the cost and disruption associated with cyber incidents.

"Cyber Resilience 360 is about turning that insight into practical action. We are giving 2,000 Irish SMEs access to specialist expertise, a clearer understanding of their risks and a prioritised plan to strengthen their resilience. The goal is not perfection overnight. It is to help businesses take manageable, meaningful steps and operate with greater confidence in an increasingly digital economy."

Heather Dowling Wade, Chief Executive Officer of Dublinia, said: "Cybersecurity is a critical issue for all businesses but, like many smaller organisations, SMEs don't always have access to the same resources and specialist expertise as larger organisations. Initiatives like Cyber Resilience 360 are important because they make practical cyber guidance and support more accessible, helping SMEs understand their risks and strengthen their resilience."