Department to spend €60,000 on IT security

The Department of Health has announced plans to further safeguard its IT systems from cyber-attacks.

The Department is currently seeking a provider to undertake the work, which it has estimated will cost around €60,000 (excluding VAT) over two years.

A “managed and monitored” service is sought for the Department’s “firewall, perimeter security infrastructure, WAN interfaces and connectivity”.

“The successful tenderer will play a key role in assisting the Department in implementing and enforcing its ICT security policies, and managing its communications interfaces,” according to tender documents released by the Department.

The Department provides shared ICT services and supports perimeter infrastructure with around a dozen offices, including the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the National Emergency Coordination Centre and the Office of the Ombudsman for Children.

The Department may also occasionally require advice and consultancy assistance with regard to communication strategies, security, and network and data security planning.

It may also seek advice on the “use and appropriateness of the existing security products for protecting the Department’s ICT infrastructure. i.e. firewalls, proxy server, internal routers, mail and web scanning, spam management and remote secure access.”

The Department supports around 500 users via a dedicated HelpDesk while ICT personnel administer the network configurations and “are conversant with the appliances and security systems deployed by the Department. Its networks are connected to the public infrastructure through Government Networks.”