Ireland’s national and economic security is under increasing threat from cyberattacks, espionage, and hybrid warfare, according to a new report by the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) and Deloitte Ireland. The study, titled Secure Together: Enhancing Ireland’s Security and Resilience in a Time of Heightened Geopolitical Risk, highlights vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, business networks, and national defence systems.
The report warns that Ireland’s global economic profile makes it a “high-value intelligence target,” with foreign intelligence services actively targeting companies in technology, financial services, aviation leasing, and cybersecurity. Nearly 90% of Irish firms have already experienced financial or operational disruption from cyberattacks, with some facing state-backed activity rather than ordinary cybercrime.
Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne said Ireland’s current defence arrangements, including the Triple Lock, are outdated and require urgent reform. Speaking at the report launch, he highlighted hybrid threats across Europe, noting Russian activity including shadow fleets, drones, and Belarusian helium balloons that have disrupted air traffic in Lithuania. Byrne added that Ireland is strengthening its Defence Forces with radar and sonar systems, additional aircraft, and increased personnel.
The study also raises concerns over critical infrastructure. Ireland’s electricity grid, gas pipelines, and subsea data cables are seen as vulnerable to sabotage. About three-quarters of all subsea cables in the Northern Hemisphere pass near Irish waters, linking global financial markets and cloud services. The paper warns that disruptions to these systems could trigger widespread communications blackouts and impact food supply chains. Dublin Port, it notes, represents a potential single point of failure for the national supply chain.
Ireland’s energy vulnerability is heightened by a lack of gas storage, while cyber threats extend across health services, utilities, internet and communications networks, and social media platforms. The report also identifies emerging threats to social cohesion, including disinformation campaigns and espionage.
The IIEA and Deloitte recommend the rapid development of a National Security Strategy to provide coordinated direction and strengthen resilience. The report calls for political leadership, enhanced government capacity, increased public awareness of threats, and support for Ireland’s defence and dual-use industries.
Shane Mohan, Deloitte Ireland’s National Government & Public Services Leader, said national security requires a “whole-of-government and a whole-of-society approach” to safeguard both safety and economic prosperity. Alex White, IIEA Director General, said the report synthesises stakeholder perspectives on national security and underscores the need for Ireland to remain a stable, secure, and prosperous nation amid rising geopolitical tensions.
The publication highlights that while Ireland is geographically small, its position on Europe’s edge and its role in global communications and technology make it a focal point for potential attacks. The report concludes that without swift, coordinated action, Ireland risks damage to both its national security and economic standing.
