With the number of IT security risks seemingly increasing daily, Irish businesses have been forced to drastically up their game in this vital area.

Cybersecurity can no longer be an afterthought; threats are increasing in both frequency and sophistication, leaving vulnerable organisations in danger of financial losses, regulatory penalties and reputational damage.

In this article, we explore seven critical risks every business owner and IT manager should be aware of, and how best to mitigate them.

 

The evolution of IT security risks

While risks to a business’s IT infrastructure come in many forms, some are particularly prevalent and pose a serious threat to operations.

Supply chain cyberattacks, for example, have quadrupled since 2020. In fact, the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 revealed supply chain vulnerabilities as the top risk to large organisations in particular, with 54% of businesses surveyed identifying these challenges as “the biggest barrier to achieving cyber resilience”.

Advancements in AI technology have also had a knock-on effect on the severity of cyberattacks, increasing both the speed and precision of these security breaches.

Outside of the above, a further myriad of threats are now facing organisations of all sizes. From infrastructure weaknesses to human error, the potential for attack has never been higher.

 

The top 7 IT security risks Irish businesses should be aware of

Let’s examine the seven most pressing IT security risks that Irish businesses should be aware of today.

 

#1. Ransomware attacks

Despite ransom amounts reportedly decreasing in some areas, this form of attack remains very lucrative for criminals.

How it works:

Ransomware encrypts your files and holds them hostage until a ransom is paid. These attacks can bring business operations to a standstill, particularly in the case of SMEs in Ireland, which often lack the backup or disaster recovery solutions to recover quickly.

Mitigation:

Implement robust backup and disaster recovery systems, ensuring they are regularly tested, and patch any vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals.

 

#2. Phishing attacks

Phishing attacks are, unfortunately, a common occurrence within Irish businesses.

How it works:

They typically infiltrate systems in the form of emails or text messages, which appear to come from trusted sources, urging staff to click a link, download an attachment or share sensitive information.

Mitigation:

Take a layered approach to system access by enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA). It’s also vital to deploy advanced email filtering tools. However, one of the biggest lines of defence against phishing attacks is to provide ongoing employee training to promote awareness of how to detect suspicious communications.

 

#3. Social engineering attacks

While phishing is a form of social engineering, attackers use many other tactics under this umbrella term to manipulate people into breaking security protocols.

How it works:

Other social engineering attacks involve the impersonation of clients, suppliers or another apparently trustworthy source, who will communicate with employees in a variety of ways (email, voice message, phone call), with one sole purpose: to encourage them to share confidential data or provide access to the company’s IT infrastructure.

Among the most common of these attacks are vishing, malware, baiting and more.

Mitigation:

Establish clear verification processes for financial and IT requests, and encourage a culture where employees feel comfortable questioning unusual requests.

 

 

#4. Insider threats

Just as we have seen with social engineering attacks, employees play a large role in both the prevention and facilitation of cybercrime. The latter is an example of an insider threat.

How it works:

Insider threats serve as proof that not all risks come from outside the business.

Employees, often through negligence, can cause data breaches. This could be as a result of weak passwords, lost devices, or unauthorised data sharing, all of which can expose sensitive information.

Mitigation:

Use role-based access controls, endpoint management, and monitoring tools to reduce insider risks.

 

#5. Compliance failures

When a business takes a lax approach to security compliance, it can drastically pay the price in the event of a cyberattack.

How it works:

Compliance failures, which can be experienced when GDPR and other sector-specific regulations are not diligently adhered to, not only increase the likelihood of security breaches but also expose affected organisations to hefty financial penalties.

Mitigation:

The good news is that mitigating the threat of compliance failures is largely in the hands of business owners.

To achieve this successfully, it’s vital to conduct regular IT security and compliance audits to identify risks and close compliance gaps before they are discovered by regulators or attackers.

 

#6. Unsecured cloud environments

Cloud platforms, such as Microsoft 365 and Azure, have become essential for Irish businesses, but if not properly secured, they can also become a breeding ground for cybercrime.

How it works:

When it comes to cloud environments, misconfigurations are one of the biggest risks, as they create opportunities for attackers to steal sensitive data, disrupt operations, or utilise the cloud environment as a launchpad for further attacks.

Compliance, or the lack of it, can also prove problematic in the context of the cloud, as personal data stored there must be secure, traceable, and properly managed to avoid regulatory penalties and reputational harm.

Mitigation:

Conduct regular cloud security assessments to identify and fix vulnerabilities, and implement role-based access controls. Sensitive data should be encrypted, and cloud activity should be regularly monitored for unusual behaviour.

 

#7. Unpatched software

Software vulnerabilities are one of the easiest ways for cybercriminals to break into a business network.

How it works:

Attackers constantly scan the internet for known weaknesses, targeting businesses that haven’t applied the latest security updates. Once inside, they can steal data, install malware, or disrupt operations.

Mitigation:

Implement an automated patch management process to ensure updates are applied quickly and consistently across all devices. Schedule updates at times that minimise disruption to daily operations.

 

 

Protect your business from cyber threats with the help of Arbelos

IT security risks evolve constantly, but with the right defences, Irish businesses can stay one step ahead.

At Arbelos, we protect organisations by providing tailored cybersecurity and compliance services, including free cybersecurity audits, Microsoft 365 and Azure security assessments, and ongoing managed IT support.

By partnering with us, you gain the confidence that your systems are secure, your compliance obligations are met, and your business is protected from costly downtime or breaches.

 

Avoid IT security risks; contact Arbelos today

Don’t wait for an incident to expose your vulnerabilities; contact us today and take proactive steps to protect your business against the most severe IT security risks.