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1st Pillar post
The Ultimate Guide to Cybersecurity for Irish SMEs in 2025
The first part of a series of 3 pillar content with long form (2000-3000 word) articles that cover a broad topic. Later we can expand on more specific topics in shorter, satellite blog posts to create clusters of relevant content.
The goal here is to create an authoritative, “evergreen” piece of content that could potentially outrank competitors and offer linking opportunities for other sites due to the comprehensive nature.
The post would target small/medium Irish business owners, IT leads who are at least partly aware of the problems / needs they have and might be searching for a solution already. They would typically not have in-house expertise but are worried about recent cyber risks, GDPR compliance or risks to their continuous business operations.
Later we can use smaller, “satellite” content where we can explore individual topics in detail but in a much shorter form, such as these:
Introduction: Why Cybersecurity Is No Longer Optional for Irish SMEs
It will serve as an intro and also as a hook to find out more.
• Mention recent DPC fines or headlines — like the Meta or Bank of Ireland cases
• Talk about rising risks like phishing scams, ransomware, and even supplier-based attacks
• Point out that small businesses are getting hit more often than they think
• Give a quick peek at what’s coming up — practical advice, common threats, and a breakdown of compliance
The Current Cyber Threat Landscape in Ireland (2025 Edition)
That part would address Ireland for local keywords.
• Share real-world threats targeting Irish companies — fake invoices, insider slip-ups, stolen passwords, etc.
• Mention that insurers and bigger partners are putting more pressure on smaller businesses to prove they’re secure
• Link out to something timely from the NCSC as a trusted reference
Key Irish Cybersecurity Regulations & Compliance Requirements
The previous section was about security concerns, this describes the regulatory concerns of cyber security.
• GDPR basics — especially breach reporting and how to handle personal data
• NIS2 — explain the new rules and who it might now apply to (even some SMEs)
• Touch on the push for better risk management and faster incident reporting
• Mention DORA, but only if it’s relevant to finance-related companies
• Flag anything current from the DPC about audits or changing expectations
What Does Good Cyber Hygiene Look Like for an SME?
This section aims to build trust by providing actionable steps.
• Make time for regular risk reviews
• Keep everything up to date with patches and security fixes
• Train the team to spot dodgy emails or suspicious links
• Set up reliable data backups — and check that they actually work
• Have a clear system in place for passwords (or use a password manager)
The Case for External Cybersecurity Expertise
This is where we introduce a cost effective way of meeting their regulatory or security requirements.
• Hiring a full-time cybersecurity person is expensive and not always realistic
• Outsourcing makes sense when things get complex or the team is stretched thin
• A vCISO can give guidance, planning, reporting — without needing to be on payroll
• You get help with the bigger picture: audits, incidents, long-term strategy
• CTA: “Explore our CISO-as-a-Service offering tailored for Irish SMEs”
• Satellite post idea: “What Is a vCISO and Do You Need One?”
How to Prepare for a Cybersecurity Audit or Incident
Again, pitching VM Group as a solution in case of an incident and a glance into what they could get when outsourcing.
• Have policies in place — things like access control, remote devices, and what to do if something goes wrong
• Be ready for vendor assessments and tricky questionnaires from partners or clients
• Know the first few steps to take if there’s a breach — staying calm and following a plan matters
• Mention we can help with incident response, forensics, and compliance reporting
• CTA: “Get a Pre-Audit Cybersecurity Health Check”
• Satellite post idea: “What to Expect During a Cybersecurity Audit”
Your Next Steps: Building a Cybersecurity Roadmap
A summary for the article, with highlighting the most important takeaways
• Quick recap: what the threats are, what the rules look like, and when to ask for help
• Encourage them to make a plan now instead of scrambling later
• Offer a checklist or a free consultation to help them get started
• Link naturally to your other services or blog content where relevant
Call to Action:
• “Book a Cyber Risk Assessment”, or a downloadable checklist — or both.
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