Zero Trust Security: Why 2026 Is the Year of No Compromise
Introduction For decades, cybersecurity relied on the idea of a trusted perimeter. If you were inside the network, you were trusted. That model no longer works. In 2026, with hybrid working, cloud adoption, and AI-powered attackers, the perimeter has dissolved. The Zero Trust Security model — built on the principle of “never trust, always verify” — has become the standard […]
How Irish Businesses Can Strengthen Their Security with 80% Funded Support from Enterprise Ireland
Cyber attacks against Irish businesses are rising fast — yet many companies still lack a clear understanding of their vulnerabilities. To bridge that gap, Enterprise Ireland, working with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), launched the Cyber Security Review Grant. It covers 80 % of a €3,000 assessment, helping Irish businesses strengthen their defences for just €600. Why it matters Cyber […]
AI in Cybersecurity: Hype vs. Reality for Irish Enterprises
Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) dominates cybersecurity headlines in 2025. Some vendors promise AI will revolutionise defence and end cybercrime altogether. Others paint a darker picture: AI-powered hackers outsmarting every system. For Irish enterprises, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. AI is already changing how attacks are launched and how defenders respond — but separating hype from reality is […]
The Microsoft 365 Myth: Why Built-In Security Isn’t Enough
Think Microsoft 365 protects all your data? Discover the hidden risks and why Irish enterprises are adding extra layers with Cloud Shield 365. Introduction: The Hidden Risk in Your Microsoft 365 Investment Microsoft 365 has become the digital heartbeat of countless Irish enterprises — from multinational financial firms to fast-growing tech startups and public sector […]
Protecting Trust in the Credit Union Sector: Lessons from Recent Cyber Incidents
Recent breaches in the financial services sector have underlined just how valuable, and vulnerable, member data can be. For credit unions in particular, where the relationship with members is built on deep community trust, the impact of a cyber incident goes far beyond the technical. It can affect reputation, compliance, and member confidence. “Credit unions […]
Get up to €2,400 in Funded Cyber Security Support for Your Business
Protect your business with the support of the Enterprise Ireland Cyber Security Review Grant. Irish companies can now access up to €3,000 in funding (with €2,400 covered by Enterprise Ireland) to assess and improve their cyber security posture. As a qualified provider, Nostra can deliver your Cyber security Review, which includes: A full assessment of […]
Watch Out for Phishing and Social Engineering: What Every Business Needs to Know
As a business owner, you understand the risks that phishing and social engineering attacks pose to your business. But today, these threats have evolved-fuelled by AI, they are more sophisticated and harder to spot than ever before. That means your biggest vulnerability may no longer be your software-it could be your people. Cybercriminals don’t need […]
World backup day: Read our 3-2-1 backup strategy
Why Every Business Needs the 3-2-1 Backup Strategy Protecting your data isn’t just a precaution – it’s a necessity. One small mistake, whether an accidental deletion or a severe ransomware attack, can bring your entire business to a standstill. Although thinking about worst-case scenarios isn’t pleasant, the truth is that disasters happen. The real question […]
Nostra’s Launch of Cloud Shield 365
Nostra has recently launched Cloud Shield 365, making it the first EU company to offer a credible 10-layer solution to eradicate the threat of ransomware. 10 Layer Protection: The ten layers are comprehensive, protecting all areas an organisation can think of and all work in tandem. Communicating with each other ensures multiple ways to detect attacks […]
Ensuring Business Continuity in an Unpredictable World: The Role of Immutability in BCDR
Kevin O’Loughlin, CEO of Nostra, Ireland’s largest Irish owned Managed Services Provider, is photographed with Peter Meade and Dorothea Lewis of Definitive Solutions at the announcement that Nostra has just acquired Definitive Solutions as part of Nostra’s ongoing expansion and acquisition programme.
If Any of Your Staff Work Remotely, You Need to Be On Top of This
Remote and hybrid working is now the norm for a lot of people. But a recent survey has found that, despite it being more than two years since many of us were forced to work from home, too many businesses still don’t have the right IT cyber security measures in place for those away from […]
10 Ways to Protect Your Business From Cyber Attacks
Every SMB organisation has information that it wants to protect from Cyber attacks, whether it’s financial records or customer data, but it isn’t always clear which is the best way to do this. At Nostra, we take security very seriously, working closely with our customers to deliver and support secure solutions to businesses large and […]
Using Microsoft Teams to Keep Your Business Secure
Working from home is now the new ‘normal’. Businesses able to do so have transitioned to remote working and, with no clear indication on the expected length of the COVID-19 lockdown, are getting comfortable; establishing remote routines, revising business strategies and implementing appropriate solutions to enable their employees to work from home efficiently. With increased […]
Secure your business using Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Every year, Microsoft spends billions of dollars on cybersecurity R&D. On top of this, Microsoft employs thousands of cybersecurity and compliance experts to constantly improve the speed, responsiveness, and strength of their security services. Then there are thousands of other people monitoring and neutralising the threats and attacks spreading around the globe. The result is […]
Multi-factor authentication is recommended by The European Union Agency for Network & Information Security for GDPR
The European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) is a centre of expertise for IT security in Europe. In the run up to GDPR, ENISA have published guidelines for SME’s on security of personal data processing. These guidelines are available to download here. In section 4.2: Technical Security Measures, guideline K.7 Multi-factor or Two-factor […]
Information Security Tips for Businesses
Many people ask our engineers for Information Security advice, so we decided to put together a list. Started at 5, grew to over 20 so thought we would limit to 10 to give some focus. We will share the other 10 with you next month! You are a Target Never say “it won’t happen to […]
How to Spot Phishing Emails
Phishing attacks continue to play a dominant role in the digital threat landscape – as the mostcommon attack vector for cyber criminals. Despite major advancements in securitytechnologies in recent years, phishing attacks continue to increase in number and impact. Security has always been a major concern for all companies, but there’s a misconception thatthreats only […]
Ransomware & Cyber Security – Questions to Ask Your IT Team
“In February 2019, Microsoft Ireland looked at how poor employee security habits within large public sector and private organisations across Ireland threatened data loss cyber breaches. We found that 44% of employees have experienced problems with hacking, phishing and cyber fraud” This week we outline some practical, plain English steps that will help shore up […]
SonicWall Cyber Threat Report 2021
The 2021 SonicWall Cyber Threat Report offers a glimpse into how cyber-criminals think and operate, helping organisations better prepare to meet the threats of tomorrow. This Executive Summary offers a high-level overview of the full report. Download the 2021 SonicWall Cyber Threat Executive Summary: For the full report visit https://www.sonicwall.com/2021-cyber-threat-report/ For advice on a security strategy […]
Why is Two-Factor Authentication so Important? And What Exactly is It?
A Dublin University was fined €70,000 last week after being found to be in breach of GDPR. Usernames and passwords to accounts were published online, and two accounts were subsequently accessed. Nostra CEO Kevin O’Loughlin explains how multi-factor authentication (MFA) and two-factor authentication (2FA) can prevent GDPR breaches—and the best part? It’s completely free.
Nostra’s 2021 Cyber Security Predictions
While 2020 was filled with great uncertainty, there are always guarantees in the technology space, specifically within cyber security. Cyber Security criminals continued to attack without any regard for the challenges faced by their targets throughout 2020. As a result, Cyber Security quickly became a top priority for many organisations and continues to be top […]
6 Common Phishing Attacks and How to Protect Against Them
Common Phishing attacks don’t show any sign of slowing down. Per its 2019 Phishing Trends andIntelligence Report, PhishLabs found that total phishing volume rose 40.9 percent over the course of 2018. These attacks targeted a range of organizations, especially financial service companies, email and online service providers and cloud/file hosting firms. It’s, therefore, no surprise […]
6 security tips for safeguarding your bargain-hunting this Black Friday
Ulster Bank is urging online shoppers to stay alert and informed when browsing for deals this Black Friday. To help you we have put together 6 security tips for safeguarding your bargain-hunting this Black Friday. Black Friday is fast approaching and customers are gearing up for the global shopping event, taking place next week (29 […]
Mid-Year Update: 2019 SonicWall Cyber Threat Report
It’s almost cliché at this point, but the cyber arms race — and respective cybersecurity controls and technology — moves at an alarming pace. For this reason, SonicWall Capture Labs threat researchers never stop investigating, analyzing and exploring new threat trends, tactics, strategies and attacks. They publish most of their findings — the data they […]
3 Ways to Improve Your Company’s Security
Nowadays data and network security are more important than ever. It is more common than people think that their information could be available for sale online on the dark web. Email passwords, remote PC logins, bank details and other vital personal information. That’s why we take security so seriously here at Nostra. You don’t have […]