In 2009, six Irish information security companies established Information Security Ireland (ISI) as a networking body to act as a central force in the industry. The ISI promotes interaction with technology firms, research institutes, academia and government. It ultimately promotes the industry worldwide by creating an awareness of Ireland’s track record and capabilities in this field.

Worldwide security software revenue totalled $17.7 billion in 2011 which was a 7.5% increase from 2010 revenue of $16.4 billion according to Gartner.  Cost of cyber crime in Ireland is thought to be €2.3 billion.

Information security is the protection of information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure and modification using smart devices.  These include servers, storage devices, computers, mobile phones, smart meters and CCTV cameras.

Ireland has a strong global reputation for software and history in encryption and forensics. Its foundations in information security technologies was laid down by companies like Baltimore Technologies, established in 1984 to develop revolutionary algorithms to encrypt data, and Trintech and Peregrine Software which delivered financial data security solutions in the early 1990s. The information security industry in Ireland comprises around 50 companies.

Alongside these are 10 non Irish-owned companies in the information security field. There are also a large number of multinationals, particularly in the financial sector which is a significant user of information security technologies. Irish colleges carry out in-depth research in some aspect of information security and offer degree or master programmes in information security.

ISI founding members are Daon, Detica NetReveal (formerly Norkom), Netfort, PixAlert,  VigiTrust, Vordel.

ISI Objectives

• To be the Irish voice of information security
• To be seen as an information security global thought leader
• To promote Ireland, its technologies, firms, graduates and academia as an information security centre of excellence
• To offer advise to the Irish government for its role in the information security revolution

ISI Governance

In June 2012, the ISI became a company limited by guarantee.

Company Secretary: Mathieu Gorge
Directors: Mathieu Gorge, Ger Curtin, Paul Malone, Eoin Geary

ISI is currently run by founding members with Chairman Mathieu Gorge. Chairman and board members can be changed at the AGM, the first of which is planned for Quarter 2, 2013.

ISI InfoSecurity Ireland Ltd registered office number 513849, Coliemore House, Coliemore Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin.