As cyber threats grow in scale and sophistication, Ireland’s public and private sectors are facing a turning point — one driven not only by escalating risks but also by sweeping new EU regulations. The EU’s NIS2 Directive, designed to strengthen cyber resilience across the EU, is set to have a major impact on how Irish organisations operate.

Yet Ireland missed the October 2024 deadline to transpose NIS2 into national law, raising questions about readiness, accountability, and capability across industries. For business leaders, the message is clear: compliance is coming, and the demand for cybersecurity talent is about to explode.

In this article, we’ll explore what NIS2 means for Irish employers, how the cybersecurity talent landscape is shifting, and what companies need to do now to prepare.

What Is NIS2 and Why Does It Matter?

The Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2) is the EU’s updated cybersecurity framework, applying to both public and private sector organisations deemed “essential” or “important” to national infrastructure. It enforces:

• Stronger cybersecurity risk management standards
• Mandatory incident reporting
• Board-level responsibility for compliance
• Hefty penalties for non-compliance (up to €10M or 2% of turnover)

While the EU set a deadline of 17 October 2024 for member states to adopt NIS2 into national law, Ireland missed this deadline. Although a draft Bill was published, full legislation is now expected in late 2025, leaving a shrinking window for organisations to prepare.

To support readiness, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued Risk Management Measures (RMMs) and launched Cyber Fundamentals — a practical framework designed to help businesses align with NIS2 standards.

What Are the Implications for Employers?

The biggest shift? Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. It’s a board-level responsibility, with legal and financial repercussions for directors and executives.

This means organisations must:

• Invest in internal cybersecurity capacity
• Reduce reliance on outsourced teams
• Build sustainable, in-house teams to manage ongoing compliance
• Ensure talent is in place to align with Cyber Fundamentals and NIS2 expectations

And with a new deadline expected next year, competition for skilled professionals is set to spike — especially in a market already facing severe shortages.

Ireland’s Cyber Talent Crunch: A Growing Challenge

The Irish cybersecurity sector has ambitious growth targets — aiming to double its workforce from 8,000 to 17,000 by 2030. But employers are already struggling to meet today’s needs:

• Job postings tripled from 2,000 in 2019 to 6,700 in 2022
• Many organisations struggled to fill cyber roles through 2023–2024
• A 2024 EY report found 38% of Irish tech leaders cite cybersecurity as a top challenge — yet only 25% plan to grow their security teams

In short, demand is outpacing supply.

And while multinationals previously dominated this space — attracting top talent to companies like AWS, JP Morgan and Workday — we’re now seeing a noticeable shift.

Why Cyber Talent Is Moving from Big Tech to SMEs and the Public Sector

Several recent trends are reshaping the market:

• Restructuring and redundancies in large tech firms
• Stricter return-to-office mandates, reducing flexibility
• Lower morale and concerns over job security

As a result, more professionals are opting for roles in SMEs and public sector organisations, where flexibility and job stability are more attractive. Public sector bodies like the HSE and CIÉ are making significant investments in internal cybersecurity teams — moving away from outsourced providers to ensure better control and continuity.

But can the private sector keep up?

Breaches on the Rise: A Wake-Up Call

Over the past 12 months, Ireland has experienced a surge in cyberattacks:

• Marks & Spencer cyber incident (2025): Contactless payments disruptions, data leak of personal customer details; password reset enforced. Costing Marks & Spencer about 300 million pounds in lost operating profit, and disruption to online services.
• Cabot Ireland breach (2024): Over 390,000 sensitive files stolen, including ex-employee data.
• HSE ransomware attack (2021): Over 100,000 impacted; legal claims (472+); costs exceeding €54M; exposed weak incident readiness.
• MTU ransomware attack (2023): Cork campuses shut, sensitive data dumped.

These incidents highlight a simple truth: no organisation is immune — and reactive approaches are no longer acceptable.

What Should Employers Do Now?

With regulations tightening and the market shifting, employers must act now to stay ahead:

1. Audit Cyber Capabilities

Assess your current systems, processes, and team structure against NIS2 and NCSC Cyber Fundamentals.

2. Prioritise Internal Hiring

While outsourcing can support capacity, internal teams are key for long-term compliance, faster response times, and stronger governance.

3. Develop a Competitive Talent Strategy

To attract and retain cyber professionals, employers must offer:

• Competitive salaries
• Clear career development
• Flexible and hybrid work options
• Opportunities for upskilling and certification

4. Partner with Experts

Work with agencies that understand the cybersecurity space and can help you build compliant, high-performing teams. At Mason Alexander, our cyber recruitment service is led by Ian Donnelly, a specialist in the field who partners with organisations across Ireland to identify and hire top-tier cybersecurity talent.

Final Thoughts: Are You Ready?

Cybersecurity in Ireland is undergoing a fundamental shift. Regulatory pressure is mounting, the talent market is evolving, and the cost of inaction is higher than ever.

If you're waiting for the next legislative deadline to act — you're already behind.

Now is the time to evaluate your security teams, plan your hiring strategy, and invest in talent that can safeguard your business for the years ahead.

Need help navigating the cybersecurity talent market?

Our specialist cybersecurity recruitment team can support your organisation in building high-impact cyber teams — from strategy and advisory to recruitment and onboarding. Talk to our cyber recruitment team today.