Foreign intelligence services are deliberately and actively targeting Ireland, raising the risk of increasing threats, the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) has warned.
The warning comes in a report published today by the IIEA and Deloitte and just a week after drones were reported in the no-fly zone when Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was due to land in Dublin.
An Garda Síochána have launched an investigation into the incident.
European Council President, Antonio Costa, called it “another example of the hybrid attacks from Russia.”
But Taoiseach Micheál Martin denied Zelenskyy was put at risk.
“The drones were not a threat to President Zelenskiy’s aircraft – that needs to be clear – because it [Zelenskyy’s plane] had safely landed quite some time prior to this incident”, the Taoiseach said.
But the incident has raised fresh questions over security in Ireland.
The IIEA and Deloitte report goes further, suggesting broader and more sustained risks to Ireland.
“Security gaps are putting Ireland’s national and economic success at risk, as our global economic profile makes us a high-value intelligence target”, the authors warn.
They point to the tech giants, financial institition, aviation leasing and cybersecurity based in Ireland as now “routinely encountering signs of foreign state-backed espionage”.
The report was drawn up following interviews with “senior officials” and business leaders, the IIEA says.
The institute there is a “pressing need …for a national conversation focused on practical defence and national resilience.”
Ireland hosts over 30 percent of EU data making it a prime target for hybrid activity.
Three quarters of Northern Hemisphere subsea cables run through or near Irish waters, linking global financial markets and cloud services.
Almost 90 percent of Irish companies have already suffered financial loss or operational disruption due to cyberattacks, with many now dealing with certain state-backed activity not just cybercrime.
Source: IIEA/Deloitte report “Enhancing Ireland’s Security and Resilience in a Time of Heightened Geopolitical Risk”
“Ireland, as a small island nation in an important geographic location, is under threat in this hybrid warfare environment”, says Shane Mohan from Deloitte Ireland.
“National security and defence require a whole-of-government and a whole-of-society approach to build resilience. If we don’t do this, it threatens not just our national security, but it could damage our economic prosperity, as businesses may look towards European Member States that can provide a more secure environment to locate operations.”
Alex White, IIEA Director General said:
“A nation’s sense of security is foundational to its prosperity, social vibrancy and national harmony. The ongoing aggression by Russia against Ukraine, coupled with the growing prevalence of disinformation, sabotage, and cyberattacks, means Ireland’s security can no longer be regarded as assured.
With this comes the need for informed and constructive dialogue on Ireland’s evolving security environment and the policy choices before us.”