7-Day CyFUN Govern Quick Start: A Practical Guide for Irish Business Directors

In May 2021, the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland suffered a devastating ransomware attack. This incident crippled IT systems nationwide. Patient appointments were cancelled. Critical services were disrupted for months. The estimated recovery cost exceeded €100 million [1]. This was not an isolated event. Cyber threats are a constant reality for Irish businesses, large and small. Many Irish SMEs, especially in regions like Donegal and the North-West, believe they are too small to be targets. This is a dangerous misconception. Cybercriminals do not discriminate by size; they target vulnerability.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Ireland’s Cyber Fundamentals (CyFUN) framework offers a clear path to resilience. It is designed specifically for Irish organisations. Yet, the "Govern" function often gets overlooked. It feels like paperwork. It seems less urgent than technical fixes. But effective governance is the bedrock of strong cybersecurity. Without it, technical controls are often misaligned or ineffective. This 7-day quick start guide provides a practical, direct action plan. It is for Irish business directors. It will help you implement the CyFUN Govern function. No consultant-speak. Just actionable steps.

Day 1: Asset Inventory – Know What You Protect

You cannot protect what you do not know you have. This is a fundamental truth in cybersecurity. Many businesses lack a comprehensive list of their digital assets. This includes hardware, software, and data. It also includes cloud services. Start by identifying everything. List all laptops, servers, and mobile devices. Document all software applications. Include SaaS subscriptions. Identify where your critical data resides. This means customer data, financial records, and intellectual property. A complete asset inventory is the first step to understanding your attack surface.

Consider a Donegal accountancy firm. They received a Business Email Compromise (BEC) email. It appeared to come from a client. They transferred €18,000. They had no cyber insurance. They had no recovery. A proper asset inventory would have highlighted their financial systems as critical. It would have prompted stronger controls around payment processes. It would have also identified key personnel involved in financial transactions. This would have led to targeted security awareness training. This firm learned a hard lesson. Their lack of asset visibility contributed directly to their financial loss.

Day 2: Risk Register – Understand Your Threats

Once you know what you have, you must understand what threatens it. A risk register is a structured way to do this. It identifies potential cyber threats. It assesses their likelihood and impact. It also outlines mitigation strategies. Don't overcomplicate this. Focus on the most probable and impactful risks. Think about phishing attacks. Consider ransomware. Evaluate data breaches. Prioritise risks based on their potential to disrupt your business or cause financial harm.

For example, a Sligo hotel had its booking system encrypted by ransomware on a bank holiday weekend. They paid €12,000 in Bitcoin. The decryption key only partially worked. Their risk register should have identified ransomware as a high-impact threat. It should have mandated robust backups. It should have also required a clear incident response plan. This hotel faced significant reputational damage. They also lost revenue. All because a critical risk was not adequately managed. This is not just about IT. It is about business continuity. It is about your bottom line.

Day 3: Policy Review – Set the Rules

Policies are the rules of the road for your organisation's cybersecurity. They define acceptable behaviour. They outline security requirements. They ensure consistency. Many SMEs have outdated or non-existent policies. This leaves employees guessing. It creates vulnerabilities. Review your existing policies. Update them to reflect current threats. Create new ones where gaps exist. Focus on key areas. These include acceptable use, data protection, and incident response. Clear, concise policies provide a framework for secure operations and employee accountability.

Consider the GDPR. It mandates strict data protection policies. A Letterkenny GP practice was fined €15,000 by the Data Protection Commission (DPC). This was due to inadequate access controls. A former receptionist accessed patient records for six months post-employment. Their policies were not enforced. Access was not revoked promptly. This highlights the importance of policy enforcement. It also shows the financial penalties for non-compliance. Policies are not just documents. They are operational directives. They protect your business from legal and financial repercussions.

Day 4: Supplier Review – Secure Your Supply Chain

Your cybersecurity is only as strong as your weakest link. Often, that link is a third-party supplier. Many Irish businesses rely on external vendors. These include IT providers, cloud services, and payment processors. Each supplier introduces potential risk. You must assess their security posture. Understand their data handling practices. Ensure they meet your security standards. Include security clauses in contracts. A robust supplier review process protects your business from risks introduced by third parties.

The Health Research Board (HRB) attack in February 2026 serves as a stark reminder. Staff were told to unplug computers. They were sent home. Systems were shut down. An active NCSC investigation is underway. While details are still emerging, supply chain attacks are a common vector. A compromise at a vendor can directly impact your organisation. You must ask tough questions. How do your suppliers protect your data? What are their incident response procedures? Do they have cyber insurance? Don't assume. Verify. Your reputation depends on it.

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Free Resource: Download the Irish SME Cyber Survival Guide — 10 practical controls based on NCSC Ireland and ENISA guidance. No email required for the first section.

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Day 5: Roles and Responsibilities – Define Who Does What

Effective cybersecurity requires clear ownership. Everyone in your organisation has a role to play. But specific responsibilities must be defined. Who is accountable for data protection? Who manages IT security? Who handles incident response? Clearly assign these roles. Document them. Ensure individuals understand their duties. This prevents confusion. It ensures critical tasks are not overlooked. Clear roles and responsibilities are essential for a coordinated and effective cybersecurity defence.

Many SMEs lack a dedicated security professional. This is where a vCISO can be invaluable. They provide expert guidance. They help define these roles. They oversee implementation. Without clear responsibilities, security tasks fall through the cracks. This creates vulnerabilities. It leaves your business exposed. Don't let security become an afterthought. Make it a core part of everyone's job. Even if it's just knowing who to report a suspicious email to.

Day 6: Board Briefing – Get Buy-in and Budget

Cybersecurity is a business risk, not just an IT problem. Your board of directors must understand this. They need to be informed. They need to be engaged. Prepare a concise, impactful briefing. Focus on the business implications of cyber risk. Use real-world examples. Highlight the financial, reputational, and legal consequences. Present your risk register. Outline your mitigation plans. Request necessary resources. Board-level understanding and support are critical for securing adequate budget and strategic direction for cybersecurity initiatives.

A Cork manufacturing firm lost a €2.3 million contract. They failed a client cybersecurity audit. The client required Cyber Essentials certification. This highlights a growing trend. Clients are demanding higher security standards from their suppliers. The board needs to understand these market pressures. They need to approve investments. They need to champion a security-first culture. Without their buy-in, cybersecurity efforts will always struggle. Make your case compelling. Use facts. Use figures. Show them the cost of inaction.

Day 7: Self-Assessment – Measure and Improve

The final day is about reflection and continuous improvement. Cybersecurity is not a one-time fix. It is an ongoing process. Conduct a self-assessment of your CyFUN Govern implementation. Review your progress. Identify areas for improvement. Are your policies up-to-date? Is your risk register accurate? Are your suppliers secure? Use the NCSC CyFUN framework as your benchmark. Regular self-assessment ensures your cybersecurity posture remains strong and adapts to evolving threats.

This process helps you prepare for external audits. It also helps you demonstrate due diligence. The NIS2 Directive, for example, will soon expand its scope. Many more Irish SMEs will fall under its regulations. Proactive self-assessment now will save significant headaches later. It builds a culture of continuous security. It moves you from reactive firefighting to proactive protection. Don't wait for an incident to force your hand. Take control now.

CyFUN Govern: A Comparison of Approaches

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Related Reading

• CyFUN, Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, and the Essential 8: A Complete Small Business Guide
• MFA Rollout Roadmap: From Essential 8 Maturity Level 1 to CyFUN Protect
• Three Frameworks, One Goal: Mapping CyFUN, Cyber Essentials and Essential 8 to NIST CSF 2.0

Ready to find out 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 an honest assessment of your cybersecurity posture and a clear plan to address it.

References

[1] Health Service Executive. (2021). HSE Cyber Attack: Information for the Public. https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/media/pressrel/hse-cyber-attack-information-for-the-public.html