What You Need to Know: The National Cyber Security Bill 2024

The Irish Government is introducing new cyber security laws under the National Cyber Security Bill 2024. This legislation is designed to improve how Ireland protects critical systems and responds to cyber threats.

The bill brings Irish law in line with an EU-wide directive called NIS2 (Network and Information Security Directive). It will also officially establish the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) as a statutory body with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

Here’s a breakdown of what the new law will mean for Irish businesses:

🔒 Who’s Covered?

  • The bill creates two main groups of businesses:
  • Essential Entities – These include organisations in sectors like energy, transport, banking, health, and water.
  • Important Entities – These are businesses in other key areas with high cyber risk, such as postal services, waste management, and digital infrastructure.
  • If your business falls into either category, you’ll have new legal responsibilities when it comes to managing cyber risk.

✅ What Will Businesses Have to Do?

  • Under the new law, Essential and Important Entities will need to:
  • Put strong cyber risk management in place – including regular risk assessments and security measures
  • Prepare for cyberattacks – with a clear incident response plan
  • Report major cyber incidents quickly – to the relevant authority (the NCSC or another Competent Authority)
  • Failure to comply could lead to serious penalties.

⚖️ What Happens If You Don’t Comply?

The new bill gives enforcement powers to regulators (called Competent Authorities). If an organisation does not follow the rules:

  • Directors or senior managers could be temporarily removed from their roles
  • Licences to operate in Ireland could be suspended until the business is back in compliance
  • Penalties will be enforced through the High Court, just like other serious company law breaches

These are strong measures that reflect the importance of keeping Ireland’s digital infrastructure secure.

🛡️ The Role of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

The NCSC will have more power and responsibility under the new law, including:

  • Monitoring national cybersecurity threats
  • Helping businesses build resilience
  • Sharing threat intelligence nationally and internationally
  • Coordinating incident response across sectors

The NCSC will also work closely with government departments but will maintain a level of independence to ensure trust and transparency in how it operates.

🔍 Proactive Scanning & Support

One important new feature is that the NCSC will offer proactive scanning services. If you are an Essential or Important Entity, you can request the NCSC to scan your systems for vulnerabilities and alert you to any serious risks. This will help businesses spot problems before they become attacks.

📢 What This Means for You

If your organisation operates in a critical or high-risk sector, it’s important to prepare now. The National Cyber Security Bill 2024 introduces real legal obligations that will require stronger cybersecurity practices across the board. Find out more about The National Cyber Security Bill or contact us for more information.