Public Sector Cyber Security Republic of Ireland 2026

From data exposure and model manipulation to supply‑chain vulnerabilities and the automation of cyber threats, securing AI usage across public services is a critical issue.

This session will explore how organisations can safely harness the benefits of AI without creating new vulnerabilities, regulatory risks or threats to public trust.

Panellists will share practical lessons on governance, procurement, security-by-design and organisational readiness, helping attendees translate emerging regulation into actionable implementation strategies.

Public sector leaders across the EU face a dual challenge: complying with the EU AI Act's new governance requirements while meeting growing cyber resilience obligations under NIS2.

Key questions will focus on what does the EU AI Act and NIS2 mean for public sector leaders today? Who should own AI risk: digital leaders, cyber teams, data teams or executive leadership and how can organisations ensure AI systems remain secure throughout their lifecycle?

Reactive responses alone are not sufficient to protect society and the economy from the potential cascading effects of cyber-attacks on critical systems and services.

As cyber risks continue evolving rapidly, critical infrastructure, government systems, society as a whole faces growing exposure to disruptive attacks that could impact the lives of millions.

Speakers will discuss how Ireland’s public services can adopt a proactive cyber defence posture, where reaction is replaced by robust, reliable cybersecurity systems.

This session cuts through the jargon to focus on what genuinely works in real public-service contexts. Drawing on hard‑won lessons from those who’ve led cyber security operations first‑hand, it will explore the decisions, behaviours and trade‑offs that make the difference when creating a cybersafe system.

Questions will be submitted by the audience throughout the day and curated by the Holyrood team, creating an interactive, audience-led panel where real discussions can take place.

Designed to be open, honest and interactive, this session will create space for shared learning around challenges in cybersecurity by giving audience members actionable insights to take back to their own organisations.