Cyber Risk Advisory for Irish Business. Pragmatic Security are Board Cyber Risk and NIS2 Governance Advisors. We help owners, managers, directors, CEOs and board members understand their cyber risk exposure, plan and implement improvements, identify and meet compliance obligations, and protect both their business and their personal liability — in plain English.
We provide vCISO advisory services backed by 20+ years of experience, from our base in North West Ireland — Donegal and Sligo — serving businesses nationwide.
Your Board Is Personally Accountable for Cyber Risk
NIS2 makes directors personally liable
Fines up to €10M, board bans, and criminal prosecution for non-compliance.
Regulators expect board oversight
The NCSC and EU regulators require documented evidence of board-level cyber governance.
Insurers are watching too
Cyber insurance claims are denied when boards cannot demonstrate due diligence.
We Help Boards Get Cyber Governance Right
We work directly with directors, CEOs, and governance committees to build proportionate, defensible cybersecurity programmes that satisfy regulators, protect the business, and shield the board from personal liability.
What You Actually Get
Save Money Without Sacrificing Protection
Expert security guidance at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire — no more guessing or overspending on the wrong tools.
Know Exactly What to Do Next
A clear, prioritised action plan based on your actual risks — not generic checklists.
Security That Fits Your Business
No cookie-cutter solutions. We tailor our approach to your industry, size, and how your team actually works.
How We Transform Your Security
1. Perfect Match
We match your organisation with the ideal Pragmatic Security vCISO based on your industry, needs, and objectives.
2. Risk Assessment
Your vCISO assesses cyber risk, measures programme effectiveness, and identifies critical gaps in your current security posture.
3. Strategic Roadmap
Working with your team, your vCISO develops an actionable, holistic strategy to enhance your security from every angle.
4. Ongoing Partnership
Your vCISO acts as an extension of your team, providing continuous support, recommendations, and leadership.
Security Solutions That Actually Work
Cyber Risk Advisory
Understand your real risks and what to prioritise first — in plain English.
Executive Coaching
Empower your leadership team with practical security knowledge they can use.
Vendor Evaluation
Stop wasting money on the wrong tools — get unbiased vendor guidance.
Maturity Modeling
See where you stand and get a realistic roadmap to improve.
We Don't Just Advise — We Deliver
When your security roadmap calls for specific tools, we handle the entire lifecycle.
Select
We evaluate the market and recommend the right tools for your size, sector, and budget — not the ones that pay us the highest margin.
Implement
We design, procure, and deploy the solution — configured to your environment, tested, and documented.
Manage
Ongoing monitoring, patching, and support — so your team can focus on running the business, not managing security tools.
Find Out What Funding You Qualify For
Irish SMEs can access between €5,000 and €67,000+ in direct cybersecurity funding. Most businesses don't know what's available. Our free Grants Eligibility Checker asks 6 quick questions — no sign-up required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Irish business need to comply with NIS2?
If your business operates in energy, transport, health, digital infrastructure, or the supply chain of any NIS2-regulated entity, you are likely in scope. Use our free NIS2 Scope Check tool at www.pragmaticsecurity.ie/nis2-scope to find out in under two minutes.
What is a vCISO and how much does it cost?
A virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) provides senior-level cybersecurity leadership on a fractional basis. Instead of hiring a full-time CISO at €100,000+ per year, a vCISO engagement starts from €1,500 per month.
What is CyFUN and how does it help my business?
CyFUN (Cyber Fundamentals) is Ireland's NCSC-endorsed cybersecurity framework designed specifically for Irish organisations. It provides a structured, proportionate approach to cybersecurity across six functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover, and Govern.
What happens in the free 20-minute call?
We listen to your situation, ask targeted questions about your business, sector, and current security posture, then give you an honest assessment of where you stand and what you should prioritise first. No sales pitch, no jargon, no obligation.
Can I get a grant for a cybersecurity assessment?
Yes. Enterprise Ireland offers a Cyber Security Review Grant covering up to €5,000 (50% of costs) for eligible businesses. The NCC-IE Stage 2 Improvement Grant covers up to €60,000 for implementing recommended improvements. Use our Grants Checker tool to see what you qualify for.
What certifications does Pragmatic Security hold?
Our team holds CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), and CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) certifications — the three most respected credentials in cybersecurity.