On November 14th, the FLIARA project celebrated its Second Online Community of Practice (CoP) event, gathering FLIARA Ambassadors and consortium members for a dynamic session featuring Aoife Noone, founder of Noone Cyber Services. Aoife is one of the 200 women innovators mapped through the project. With her deep expertise in cybersecurity, she provided essential strategies for businesses of all sizes to defend against digital threats, emphasising the pressing need for robust security measures in today’s interconnected world.
Breakout Sessions for Enhanced Networking and Collaboration
Ambassadors joined breakout sessions, fostering networking and collaboration among consortium members. These sessions provided a valuable opportunity for participants to connect, discuss shared challenges, and exchange insights on their experience with the FLIARA CoP.
A Deep Dive into Cybersecurity Essentials for Modern Businesses
Following the breakout sessions, Aoife began with the fundamental principles of cybersecurity—confidentiality, integrity, and availability. She highlighted that cybersecurity is critical for all businesses, not just large enterprises. Also emphasised access management as a key defence against vulnerabilities. “Cybersecurity isn’t just for large companies anymore,” Aoife stressed. “Every business, regardless of size, must understand how to safeguard their data and systems.”
Citing global statistics, Aoife shared that cybercrime costs are expected to soar to $10.5 trillion by 2025. Ireland, too, faces rising threats, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) frequently targeted by phishing and ransomware attacks. Her data-driven presentation underscored the necessity of cybersecurity awareness across all sectors.
Emerging Cyber Threats and Cost-Effective Solutions
Aoife delved into the evolving cyber threat landscape, from phishing and malware to sophisticated AI-based impersonation scams. She offered practical, cost-effective solutions tailored to small businesses, such as regular software updates, secure access controls, and employee training. These proactive steps, she explained, are essential to reducing the risk of cyberattacks and supporting business resilience.
AI: Both a Cyber Threat and a Security Asset
Aoife’s talk also covered the dual role of AI in cybersecurity. While AI enables hackers to launch more targeted phishing and impersonation scams—like the voice-cloning scams highlighted in a recent McAfee survey. Over 63% of cybersecurity professionals believe AI will ultimately strengthen defenses. Large organisations are already implementing generative AI to bolster proactive security measures, underscoring the evolving landscape of cybersecurity technologies.
Core Cybersecurity Practices for Resilience
Aoife wrapped up her presentation with practical advice on cybersecurity “hygiene” for businesses: strong passwords, two-factor authentication, regular data backups, and even cyber insurance for larger firms. For small businesses, she emphasised affordable yet effective practices, such as checking for data breaches on haveibeenpwned.com, using secure password managers, and maintaining an offline data backup.
With its commitment to supporting rural women entrepreneurs, the FLIARA project’s second Community of Practice event offered participants vital guidance on navigating digital risks but also a space for networking. Aoife Noone’s proactive approach to cybersecurity, coupled with her accessible solutions for small businesses, makes her a valuable ally in the fight against cyber threats. To learn more about her work, visit Noone Cyber Services or connect with Aoife on LinkedIn—her commitment to accessible cybersecurity solutions makes her a powerful ally in the digital world.