Mandate

8.8 The National Cyber Security Centre was established in 2011 following a Government decision.1 The Centre is largely located in rental accommodation on the UCD campus. The Centre’s primary focus is on securing government networks, on assisting industry and individuals in protecting their own systems and on securing critical national infrastructure.2

8.9 The National Cyber Security Centre contains the State’s national/governmental Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT-IE). Its functions include the enhancement of ‘situational awareness’ and the provision of incident response for national cyber security incidents.3 The Computer Security Incident Response Team received ‘Trusted Introducer’accreditation on 28 November 2017.4

8.10 The National Strategy sets out the mandate for the National Cyber Security Centre (see Figure 8.1).

Figure 8.1 National Cyber Security Centre mandate

Reduce vulnerability

of critical systems and

networks

CSIRT response when attacks

occur

Develop cooperative relationships with national

Protect

critical information infastructure

and international

partners

Source: National Cyber Security Strategy 2015 — 2017