What Irish Business Media Is Not Telling You About the Cyber Threat to SMEs.

Did you know that while headlines scream about global ransomware gangs, Irish SMEs are quietly being targeted every single day?

Irish business media, from national newspapers to industry-specific publications, frequently covers major cybersecurity incidents. We read about the colossal breaches affecting multinational corporations, the sophisticated tactics of international ransomware groups, and the government's overarching cybersecurity strategies. These stories are important, highlighting the evolving landscape of digital threats and the significant resources deployed to combat them. They paint a picture of a high-stakes battle fought on a grand scale.

The Unseen Battleground: Irish SMEs Under Attack

However, this focus on the spectacular often overshadows a more insidious and pervasive threat: the daily targeting of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Ireland. These businesses, the backbone of our economy, are not immune; in fact, their perceived vulnerability makes them attractive targets for cybercriminals. The media narrative, while accurate for large entities, creates a dangerous blind spot for the thousands of SMEs operating in towns like Letterkenny and Sligo, who face a constant barrage of phishing attempts, business email compromise (BEC) fraud, and ransomware attacks.

The consequences of these overlooked attacks are devastating. Consider the BEC fraud that cost a Letterkenny business a staggering €47,000, a sum that could cripple a small operation. Or the ransomware attack that brought a Sligo hotel to a standstill, disrupting bookings, payment systems, and customer trust. These are not isolated incidents; they are symptomatic of a broader, underreported crisis affecting Irish SMEs, often without making it into the mainstream news cycle. The financial and reputational damage can be irreversible, yet these stories rarely gain traction.

Why the Silence? The Reputational Cost of Reporting

The primary reason these incidents remain largely out of the public eye is fear. Irish SMEs, when hit by a cyberattack, are often reluctant to report breaches publicly. The fear of reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and potential regulatory scrutiny far outweighs the desire to share their experience. This silence creates a vicious cycle: without public reporting, the media lacks concrete incidents to cover, perpetuating the myth that cyber threats are primarily a

Related Reading

• Why Donegal Businesses Are a More Attractive Target Than You Think.
• Why Donegal and Sligo Businesses Are the Next Frontier for Cybercriminals: A Threat Intelligence Briefing.
• Irish SME Cyber Risk Index — Q1 2026: The Five Threats Facing Donegal and Sligo Businesses Right Now.

Take the Next Step

If you are unsure where your business stands on cybersecurity, we can help. Book a free, no-obligation 20-minute call with our vCISO team. We will give you an honest assessment of your current posture and tell you exactly what to prioritise first.

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