Cyber Threats on the Rise: Unitec IT Services Leads the Charge in Safeguarding Irish Businesses

In the wake of high-profile cyber incidents such as the recent attack on Marks & Spencer, businesses across Ireland are on high alert. As cybercriminals grow more sophisticated, Unitec IT Services, one of Ireland’s leading managed IT and cybersecurity providers, is at the forefront of protecting organisations against digital threats—and ensuring swift recovery when the worst happens.

From ransomware attacks and data breaches to phishing scams and denial-of-service attacks, Irish organisations face an increasingly hostile cyber environment. According to the Irish Cyber Crime Report (2024), cybercrime incidents targeting Irish SMEs rose by over 40% in the past 12 months. Unitec IT Services warns that many businesses are still dangerously underprepared, risking financial loss, legal exposure, and irreversible damage to their reputations.

“If a company like Marks & Spencer can be hit, it shows that no business is too big—or too small—to be a target,” says Ian Power, Managing Director of Unitec IT Services. “Cybersecurity is not a one-off product or a box to tick. It’s an ongoing strategy, and Unitec is here to make sure Irish businesses are armed, alert, and able to bounce back.”

The Real-World Impact of a Cyberattack

A cyberattack can paralyze a business in moments. Systems go offline, customer data is exposed or stolen, and employees are left locked out of essential tools. Productivity stalls. Revenue stops. In the case of ransomware, hackers often demand exorbitant payments to unlock access—sometimes with no guarantee of resolution.

The consequences extend beyond the digital realm. Companies may face regulatory penalties for GDPR breaches, lawsuits from clients, and public relations nightmares. In the Irish market, where many businesses rely heavily on relationships and reputation, the fallout can be catastrophic.

“What we see time and again is that businesses underestimate the speed at which a cyber incident can unfold,” says Power. “Recovery plans that are vague, outdated or non-existent are simply not enough in 2025.”

Unitec’s Two-Pillar Approach: Prevention and Recovery

Unitec IT Services offers a two-pronged solution to this growing threat landscape: proactive cyberattack prevention and robust disaster recovery.

1. Prevention: Staying One Step Ahead

Unitec’s prevention strategy is rooted in layered defence. The goal is to stop threats before they reach critical infrastructure. Services include:

  • Advanced endpoint protection and firewalls to monitor and defend all network access points
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and secure access protocols to limit unauthorised logins
  • Regular patch management and updates to eliminate known vulnerabilities
  • Phishing simulations and cybersecurity awareness training for employees, addressing the human element
  • Security audits and vulnerability testing to ensure systems are hardened against attack
  • 24/7 network monitoring with real-time threat detection and alerts

“Your employees are your first line of defence,” adds Power. “That’s why we work closely with clients to make cybersecurity second nature across their organisation—not just something left to the IT team.”

2. Disaster Recovery: Resilience in the Face of Crisis

Despite the best defences, no system is impenetrable. That’s why Unitec provides comprehensive disaster recovery services to minimise downtime, protect data integrity, and ensure business continuity.

Key components include:

  • Automated, encrypted backups stored securely in the cloud and offsite locations
  • Rapid system restoration capabilities, allowing businesses to resume operations in hours, not days
  • Custom disaster recovery plans, including incident response workflows and stakeholder communication strategies
  • Compliance support to meet GDPR obligations and data breach notification timelines
  • Digital forensics to trace the origin of an attack and improve future defences

Unitec’s focus is not only on technical recovery but also on post-incident resilience, helping clients learn from events and come back stronger.

To discuss how Unitec IT Solutions can support your business contact us.