RTÉ Cybersecurity Incident Investigation – Irish Times
RTÉ Contacted by national Cyber Security center Amid Potential State Body Threat
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Dublin, Ireland – RTÉ, Ireland’s national public service broadcaster, has been contacted by the national Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) regarding a potential cyber threat that may target several state bodies, including RTÉ. The NCSC, a division of the Department of Justice responsible for monitoring online threats to the state, alerted RTÉ over the weekend after becoming aware of the facts.
NCSC Investigates Potential Threat with August 4th Deadline
An RTÉ spokesperson confirmed the broadcaster was “contacted by the NCSC over the weekend regarding information it had become aware of.” the organisation is currently undertaking a review to assess the veracity of the information.
Sources familiar with the situation indicate that the threat has an expiry deadline of August 4th and could possibly affect up to seven state bodies.While the exact nature of the threat remains undisclosed, ther is speculation that it may involve ransomware. The NCSC has advised RTÉ of its potential inclusion as a target. Despite the seriousness of the alert, sources suggest there is not currently a high degree of alarm surrounding the threat.
Growing Cyber Threats Highlighted by NCSC Data
The NCSC’s engagement with RTÉ comes at a time when Ireland is facing an increasing risk of significant cyber attacks. Last year,the head of the NCSC issued a warning that the country was exposed to a “far greater” risk than previously experienced.
In 2023, the NCSC received over 5,200 reports, which led to 721 confirmed incidents and initiated 309 investigations. While the majority of these incidents where classified at the lower end of the NCSC’s five-level seriousness scale, with none reaching the top two categories, the overall volume underscores a growing cybersecurity landscape.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice stated that the NCSC does not comment on operational matters.
lessons Learned from Past Attacks
The heightened focus on the State’s cyber security defences is a direct consequence of the crippling attack on the Health Service Executive (HSE) in 2021. That incident saw many of the health service’s systems taken offline, resulted in significant data breaches, and incurred costs exceeding €100 million for remediation. As of last year, the HSE was reportedly facing more than 470 legal actions stemming from the ransomware attack. This past event serves as a stark reminder of the potential impact of cyber threats on critical national infrastructure and public services.