As cyber threats continue to evolve, safeguarding your business from potential risks is no longer just an option—it’s a necessity. With the rise in cyber-attacks targeting businesses of all sizes, particularly SMEs, the Cyber Security Review Grant provided by Enterprise Ireland and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) offers a timely opportunity for Irish companies to take proactive steps toward securing their digital infrastructure.
This grant is aimed at helping SMEs conduct a comprehensive cyber security assessment to identify vulnerabilities and implement tailored solutions. Given the first-come, first-served nature of this funding, Irish businesses are encouraged to act swiftly to secure this support.
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What Does the Cyber Security Review Grant Offer?
The Cyber Security Review Grant covers 80% of a fixed project cost of €3,000, providing financial support for eligible companies as a way to enhance their cyber defences.
Eligible companies can apply for the grant to fund the following services:
- Cyber Security Audits: A thorough assessment of your business's current cyber security measures to uncover potential vulnerabilities.
- Cyber Risk Management: Expert guidance to help implement solutions that mitigate identified risks.
- Tailored Recommendations: Based on the audit, a clear set of actions to improve your cyber security within a specific timeframe.
This funding is crucial for businesses looking to stay ahead of ever-evolving cyber threats, and the grant makes it accessible to companies that may otherwise lack the budget for in-depth cyber security reviews. Enterprise Ireland has made it clear that the grants are limited, meaning businesses need to act quickly to benefit from this opportunity.
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Why Act Now?
The first-come, first-served approach adopted by Enterprise Ireland for this grant underscores the importance of taking swift action. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, particularly with the growing influence of AI in cyber-attacks, waiting to strengthen your defences can expose your business to unnecessary risks.
By applying for the Cyber Security Review Grant now, your business can take advantage of expert-led audits and strategies designed to protect your digital infrastructure from vulnerabilities, all while benefiting from significant financial support.
How to Apply for the Cyber Security Review Grant
Applying for the grant is straightforward:
- Eligibility Check: Make sure your company is an Enterprise Ireland client with an assigned Development Advisor, and meets the eligibility criteria for the Cyber Security Review Grant.
- Application Process: Submit your application through Enterprise Ireland’s online portal, detailing the scope of your cyber security project.
- Choose a suitable advisor: Following NCSC guidance, it is important that you choose a qualified consultant holding one of the following qualifications, or equivalent:
Once approved, your adivsor will work with you to conduct a full Cyber Security Audit, helping you leverage the grant funding to secure your business. By partnering with BDO, you can maximise the value of this grant, ensuring your company is equipped with a robust cyber security strategy that’s tailored to your specific needs.
BDO: Your Trusted Partner for Cyber Security
When it comes to conducting a thorough and effective cyber security review, BDO is a trusted name with a proven track record. Our certified cyber security experts offer independent, comprehensive reviews designed to meet the unique needs of Irish businesses, from SMEs to larger corporations.
Here’s how BDO can help:
- Comprehensive Cyber Security Review: We identify weaknesses in your systems, assess your current security measures, and provide a clear roadmap for enhancing your cyber defences. Our review is aligned with the NCSC Cyber Security Framework to ensure all areas of vulnerability are addressed comprehensively.
- Tailored Solutions: After identifying vulnerabilities, we provide actionable, prioritised recommendations that address key issues within a six to twelve-month timeframe. This allows your business to implement solutions effectively while managing resources efficiently.
- Expert Guidance: Our consultants will work closely with your team to ensure all steps are taken to mitigate risks and improve your cyber resilience. We help you safeguard sensitive data, strengthen your defences, and develop robust processes to prevent future threats.
In addition to these services, BDO’s Cyber Health Check Service offers an even more detailed and robust security assessment. By leveraging the CIS security control framework, this service scrutinises your system’s compliance configurations to ensure you have full control over your security environment. Our Cyber Health Check goes beyond just identifying risk profiles—it dives into flawed processes that could be contributing to these risks, providing actionable steps to rectify vulnerabilities.
We also include an external vulnerability assessment as part of this service, which offers a detailed overview of weaknesses across your web presence. This enables your business to address potential vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Our Cyber Health Check also highlights crucial areas such as:
- Servers running outdated software
- Services exposed to the internet that should be securely positioned behind your firewall
- Compromised credentials for sale on the dark web
At BDO, our goal is to empower you to take proactive steps towards securing your digital assets in both on-premises and hybrid environments. With over 50 years of combined experience within our Cyber Security team, we are committed to providing unparalleled support to help you enhance your defences and protect your business from cyber threats.
Reach out to a member of our Cyber Security team today for a confidential discussion and take the first step towards securing your company’s future in an increasingly digital world.
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