The Average Irish SME Takes 197 Days to Discover a Breach. What Is Happening in Your Network Right Now?

Did you know the average Irish SME takes 197 days to discover a cyber breach? That's over six months where an attacker could be lurking undetected within your systems, quietly mapping your network and stealing your most valuable assets. This alarming statistic, highlighted in the NCSC Ireland and IBM Cost of a Data Breach report, reveals a critical vulnerability for businesses across the country.

This extended dwell time is like a slow gas leak – you cannot smell it, but it is filling the room, creating an increasingly dangerous environment. During this period, cybercriminals are not idle; they are meticulously planning their next move, often with devastating consequences for unsuspecting businesses. Understanding what happens during these hidden months is the first step towards effective protection.

The Silent Invasion: What Attackers Do Undetected

When an attacker gains initial access to your network, their primary goal is usually not immediate destruction. Instead, they focus on establishing persistence and escalating their privileges. This often involves deploying backdoors, creating new user accounts, or exploiting misconfigurations to ensure they can return even if their initial entry point is discovered.

Once inside, they begin a reconnaissance phase, meticulously mapping your network infrastructure. They identify critical servers, data repositories, and key personnel, building a comprehensive understanding of your digital landscape. This detailed knowledge allows them to plan their attack with surgical precision, targeting the most valuable assets.

Credential theft is a cornerstone of these prolonged attacks. Attackers will actively seek out usernames and passwords, often targeting domain administrators or privileged accounts. With legitimate credentials, they can move laterally through your network, accessing systems and data without triggering immediate alarms, blending in with normal network traffic.

The Devastating Consequences of Delayed Detection

The longer a breach goes undetected, the more severe its impact becomes. Attackers use this time to exfiltrate sensitive data, stage ransomware attacks, or prepare for disruptive operations. A Sligo business, for instance, only discovered their breach when a client called to say their confidential data was appearing on a dark web forum, a stark reminder of the real-world implications.

Data exfiltration can lead to significant regulatory fines under GDPR, reputational damage, and a loss of customer trust. Ransomware, often deployed after extensive network mapping, can cripple operations, leading to costly downtime and potential data loss. The financial and operational fallout from such incidents can be catastrophic for an SME.

Proactive Defence: Shortening the Dwell Time

Reducing the time attackers spend in your network is paramount to mitigating damage. This requires a shift from purely reactive security measures to a more proactive stance. Implementing robust endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions can provide continuous monitoring of your systems, identifying suspicious activities that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Regular security audits and penetration testing are crucial for uncovering vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them. These assessments simulate real-world attacks, helping you understand your weaknesses and strengthen your defences. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Ireland consistently advises Irish businesses to adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of continuous vigilance.

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Not sure where your business stands on cyber risk? Download the Irish SME Cyber Survival Guide — a free, plain-English guide to the 10 controls every Irish business needs. No jargon, no sales pitch.

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Essential Steps for Irish SMEs

For businesses in Donegal and across Ireland, implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy is no longer optional. Start by focusing on the fundamentals: strong access controls, regular software updates, and employee security awareness training. These foundational elements significantly reduce the attack surface and make it harder for attackers to gain initial access.

Consider adopting a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system, even a simplified version, to centralize and analyze security logs. This can help detect anomalous behaviour indicative of a breach much faster. For more detailed insights into managing cyber risks, consult our Risk Management articles and the NIS2 Compliance guide.

Finally, develop an incident response plan. Knowing exactly what to do when a breach occurs can dramatically reduce its impact. This plan should include clear steps for containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident analysis. A well-rehearsed plan is your best defence when the inevitable happens, turning a potential disaster into a manageable incident. You can find more information in our glossary of cybersecurity terms.

Related Reading

• Why Donegal Businesses Are a More Attractive Target Than You Think.
• What Irish Business Media Is Not Telling You About the Cyber Threat to SMEs.
• Why Donegal and Sligo Businesses Are the Next Frontier for Cybercriminals: A Threat Intelligence Briefing.

Ready to find out exactly where your business stands? Book a free 20-minute strategy call with our vCISO team at pragmaticsecurity.ie/book-a-call. No sales pitch. No jargon. Just clarity on your cyber risk — and a clear plan to address it.