Geopolitical tensions are reshaping the global digital landscape. Ireland—though small in size— has an increasingly important role to play given its strategic digital position and diplomatic credibility. It must continue develop its own national cyber resilience and industry capabilities while engaging internationally on cybersecurity to bridge gaps and work with like-minded partners.
Geopolitical and cybersecurity risks
The ransomware attack against Ireland’s Health Service Executive in 2021 ensured every citizen of Ireland understood the national and personal impact a cyber-attack can have. The people of Erris, Co. Mayo, in the west of Ireland did not expect to be impacted by the Isreal-Gaza war, but in 2023, 160 households found themselves without water due to a politically motivated cyberattack on an Israeli-made water pumping device by a pro-Iranian group. This was just one of over 700 cyber incidents in the State confirmed by the National Cyber Security Centre in 2023.
Ireland is recognised as digital leader in Europe, home to the European headquarters of major tech multinationals, a hub for data centres, and a critical node in the global internet infrastructure due to the fibre optic subsea cables that pass through Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This strategic digital position exposes Ireland to geopolitical and cybersecurity risks that demand coordinated and forward-looking responses.
Ireland’s foreign policy—supporting Ukraine and advocating for Palestinian rights—has geopolitical consequences, which may increase Ireland’s visibility as a target for politically motivated cyberattacks.
China and the USA dominate the global technology landscape from the supply of critical raw materials, chips, cloud services and artificial intelligence (AI). Thus, it is no surprise that the EU relies on foreign countries for over 80% of digital products, services, infrastructures and intellectual property. To address this the EU is pursuing an agenda of strategic autonomy and digital sovereignty, which will result in specific market restrictions for non-EU technology providers in the EU market and will particularly impact Ireland due to its dependence on US multi-national technology providers.
The shifting EU-US trade dynamics has direct implications for Ireland also. The imposition of tariffs and trade restrictions by the US on European goods has raised concerns among US multinationals operating in Ireland, as well as potential retaliatory measures taxing US digital services in Europe.
The vast majority of the critical services in the State are wholly or partially dependent on technology, in both the information system and industrial control system realms, making cybersecurity critical to the functioning of society. While Ireland sits on the western edge of Europe, geographically distant from many armed and geopolitical conflicts, in this digital era we are all digitally proximate. Ireland must ensure that it is digitally resilient to cyber incidents, whether the threat actors be nation-state, criminals, or unintentional acts. International cooperation on cybersecurity is critical and The European Union (EU) is taking an increasing central role in improving cybersecurity and preparing for cyber-attacks, in which Ireland must contribute.
The EU’s Cybersecurity Blueprint
In 2025, regulation is set to become a defining force in cybersecurity across Europe. The EU AI Act requires companies to manage the various risks posed by their use of artificial intelligence (AI). The EU Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), which took effect in January 2025, extends beyond traditional financial institutions ensuring that their IT service providers meet rigorous security standards. The NIS2 Directive broadens cybersecurity compliance across eighteen critical sectors, impacting thousands of companies in Ireland. Meanwhile, the Cyber Resilience Act will soon introduce stringent security requirements for all digital products sold in the EU. These regulatory developments reflect a shift on the responsibility of cybersecurity to operator and producer from the consumer. They demand immediate attention from businesses, as non-compliance could result in substantial fines, reputational damage, and even personal liability for company officers.
The EU is also better preparing to manage European cyber crises and incidents. The EU Cyber Solidarity Act, effective from February 2025, will improve the preparedness, detection and response to cybersecurity incidents across the EU through a European Cybersecurity Alert System, a Cybersecurity Emergency Mechanism consisting of the EU Cybersecurity Reserve of ‘trusted providers’ 5 and a Cybersecurity Incident Review Mechanism. In June 2025, EU Telecom Ministers adopted the EU Blueprint for cyber crisis management, which gives guidance for the EU’s response to large-scale cybersecurity incidents or cyber crises.
The “U.S. innovates and the EU regulates” is a common expression that speaks to how each region deals with technology differently. Increasing cybersecurity regulation in Europe in contrast to a focus on voluntary industry participation in the USA will result in further divergence of global standards and compliance becoming more complex. This is already playing out in the realm of data privacy with the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) responsible for regulating many US technology companies in Europe and enforcing the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The Irish DPC was responsible for more than half of the €1.2bn fines levied by European states for data protection breaches in 2024.
Ireland at the Digital Crossroads: Navigating Cybersecurity and Geopolitical Risks
In a time of geopolitical fragmentation, regulatory divergence, digital sovereignty, and rising cyber threats, Ireland finds itself at a juncture on the global digital stage. Cybersecurity is clearly no longer a purely technical issue—it is also a geopolitical one. State and non-state actors are increasingly using cyber tools to project power, disrupt adversaries, and influence public opinion. While the current trajectory of geopolitics often appears zero-sum—where one nation’s gain is another’s loss—there are still opportunities for positive-sum outcomes in the technology and cybersecurity sphere. Here, Ireland has an important role to play due to its strategic digital position, strong ties with the USA, EU membership, and diplomatic credibility. To navigate the geopolitical, technological and economic risks, Ireland should consider how it can build on existing strengths while preparing for future risks. Key considerations for Ireland to consider are:
- Strengthening national cybersecurity and becoming a leader: invest and adequately resource the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to deliver on Ireland’s national cybersecurity strategy supporting increased cybersecurity for government, CNI, large and small businesses, and citizens. The Irish Government should prioritise national cybersecurity, investing and adequately resourcing the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to deliver on Ireland’s national cybersecurity strategy, while setting out a strategy to become a cybersecurity leader, similar to other small, developed nations like Estonia. Ireland has all the strengths to make this a reality give its size, digital leadership, cybersecurity skills and industry. It should have the ambition to be a cybersecurity leader.
- Developing a strong domestic cybersecurity sector: Ireland requires indigenous cybersecurity companies of scale and maturity that can deliver high quality solutions to provide cyber resilience domestically and respond in the case of a cyber incident. Furthermore, given the EU’s direction of travel on strategic autonomy and digital sovereignty there are opportunities for Irish cybersecurity solutions to better penetrate the European market.
- Engage on EU Digital and Cybersecurity initiatives: Ireland should actively engage, and lead, on European digital initiatives such as D9+ and the Eurostack given our strong digital capabilities, ensuring a balanced perspective promoting an open and ambitious EU digital trade agenda working with likeminded partners to deepen existing trade relationships and establish new ones. Ireland can become a cybersecurity leader in Europe, contributing to EU cybersecurity legislation and certification schemes, joining cybersecurity initiatives and exercises, and participating in the European Cybersecurity Competency Centre.
- International Cooperation: Ireland’s deep ties with the US, membership of the EU and diplomatic expertise provides an opportunity to bridge geopolitical gaps and work on shared goals in the area of cybersecurity, ensuring that the international rules-based order is upheld.
Ireland stands at the intersection of global digital flows and geopolitical fault lines. Its cyber resilience and contribution to global technological progress in the coming decade will depend on its ability to adapt to an evolving geopolitical and technological landscape, where technology is both a driver of prosperity and a vector of risk. By investing in cybersecurity, embracing digital sovereignty, shaping the EU digital agenda, and championing international cooperation, Ireland can not only safeguard its own digital future but contribute meaningfully to global progress.