Cybersecurity has become one of the most urgent issues facing Irish businesses today. While large enterprises may have dedicated security teams, it’s small and medium businesses that are being hit hardest – often because they underestimate their own risk.
The Irish Times reported that almost 90% of Irish companies have experienced disruption or financial loss due to cyberattacks in recent years.
Cybersecurity is no longer something that “other businesses” need to worry about. Whether you run a local shop, a growing digital company, or a busy professional services firm, the risks are real and they’re increasing.
Threats Hitting Small Businesses
The biggest cybersecurity risks aren’t complex technical attacks – they’re simple disruptions with major financial consequences.
Here are the threats currently causing Irish SMEs thousands of euros in losses:
- Systems go down and can cause business to grind to a halt – stopping sales, freezing operations and delaying services.
- Customer data falls into the wrong hands – damaging trust which could take months or even years to recover from.
- Invoice fraud is now one of the most common attacks on SMEs – with hackers accessing company emails and tricking customers into paying them.
- One accidental click can cost a business thousands – Human error remains the number one cause of breaches for SMEs.
- A hijacked website means lost sales and frustrated customers – affecting your revenue.
Single cyber incident can shut a small business down. Many businesses are unaware that insurance companies refuse to pay out if basic securities aren’t in place. This could affect the recovery of the business, taking days or weeks, with no guarantee of full restoration.
The challenge for SME’s
For big corporations, cybersecurity investment is standard. However, most small businesses face limited budgets, lack of in-house capabilities and increasing pressure from customers. Cybercriminals know this and target SMEs precisely because they’re easier to breach.
The solution isn’t to turn business owners into cybersecurity experts. The solution is bringing in someone who can manage it sustainably from within your business.
A Practical, Cost-Effective Solution: Hiring a Cybersecurity Apprentice
This is where the FIT Cybersecurity Tech Apprenticeship offers real value to Irish employers.
Instead of paying for costly consultants or reacting to incidents after they happen, SMEs can build in-house cybersecurity capability at an affordable cost. Cybersecurity Apprentices work full-time in your business while completing a structured programme that equips them with the skills to:
- strengthen your defences
- spot vulnerabilities before attackers do
- monitor suspicious activity
- reduce risks linked to staff behaviour
- improve resilience so your business stays operational
Learn more about the programme structure and how it could work for your business here.
For many small businesses, this is often the first time they have someone dedicated to protecting their systems, customers, and operations.
And with hiring opportunities currently available in Sligo, Cork, Wexford and Dublin, now is the ideal moment for employers to strengthen their teams.
Protect your business in 2026
For SMEs that have been “putting off” cybersecurity, this is one of the simplest, smartest, and most sustainable ways to get started.
Here’s why SME’s nationwide are choosing Tech Apprenticeships over traditional hiring:
- Cost-effective: With no recruitment costs and access to grants and possible gender based bursaries of up to €6,666 over the two years.
- Future-proof talent pipeline: SMEs get access to pre-screened, motivated candidates committed to developing their skills, growing with your business and building long-term expertise.
- Trusted by 270+ Businesses: FIT programmes are developed in partnership with industry and supported by SME’s and large corporations across Ireland.
- Nationwide programmes: Tech Apprenticeship programmes are accessible nationally, with opportunities to hire Cybersecurity apprentices for businesses in Sligo, Cork, Wexford, Dublin and surrounding areas.
Discover how hiring a tech apprentice in 2026 can transform your business. Book a no-commitment introductory call with our team here.
