New Bill will help protect us against cybercrime – Conway

Fine Gael’s Seanad Justice Spokesperson, Senator Martin Conway, said in the wake of the unprecedented cyberattack, the Government’s new legislation in the area of cybercrime being brought forward by the Government is both important and timely.

“The worldwide attacks last weekend have reminded us of just how important cyber security is in this day and age. The role of the Government is to take these dangers into account when planning anything.

“Our increasing reliance on technology and digital files has left us increasingly vulnerable to these kinds of crimes, which is why I’m pleased that this legislation should be enacted before the summer.

“We were very lucky that Ireland seemed to have escaped with minimal damage, but we don’t know what could happen next; that’s why we need to be prepared.

“Only one incident has been detected in a health care facility in Ireland, and that was quickly resolved by the HSE.

“The new Criminal Justice Bill 2016 (Offences Relating to Information Systems) focuses on offences relating to information systems and data and does not cover content-related matters. It creates new offences relating to:

• Unauthorised accessing of information systems
• Interference with information systems or with data on such systems
• Interception of transmission of data to or from information systems, and
• The use of tools, such as computer programmes, passwords or devices, to facilitate the commission of these offences relating to information systems.

“The new Bill will reflect the EU Directive aimed at defining criminal offences in the area of attacks against information systems and will establish effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties for such offences. More serious offences could result in a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years.”