Cyber security
Cyber security: buying testing, certification and incident help in Ireland
One local tradesperson gets your request – no ring-round.
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Cyber security is sold under many labels, and a vulnerability scan dressed up as a penetration test is easy to buy by mistake. If you are dealing with an attack right now, read the incident section first. Whatever you ask for, your request is passed to exactly one security firm.
- Exactly one business. Your request is handed out once. After that, no other business sees it.
- You know who will be in touch. Before the business receives your contact details, we send you its name, address and phone number.
- Withdraw at any time. You can withdraw your consent at any time – using the link in our email.
Scan, test, audit or monitoring
A vulnerability scan is an automated check for known weaknesses. It is quick and repeatable, but it produces false alarms and misses anything that needs human judgement. A penetration test is a person, or a team, trying to break in within an agreed scope, then showing how far they got and how to fix it. A security audit reviews policies, configurations and processes against a standard. Monitoring, often called a security operations centre or SOC, is a service that watches your logs and alerts around the clock or in agreed hours.
They answer different questions. If you want to know whether your web application can be abused, commission a test of that application. If a customer's security questionnaire asks about your controls, an audit or certification fits better. If nobody would notice an intruder for weeks, monitoring is the gap.
In Ireland: data protection and registration
The GDPR applies to your IT projects; in Ireland the Data Protection Commission is the supervisory authority. If a supplier processes personal data on your behalf, you need a data processing agreement.
Irish companies are registered with the Companies Registration Office. Ask for the company number and VAT number, and check whether prices are quoted with or without VAT.
Source: dataprotection.ie · eur-lex.europa.eu · revenue.ie
Make a requestOne request, one business: how Offrano works
You confirm your mobile number with a text code and your email address with a link. We then show the request to businesses in your area, without your name or contact details. Only one business can take it on; it pays Offrano for the request, and it costs you nothing.
Before that business sees your details, we email you its name, address and phone number. We check only that it is a registered business, for example through its Companies Registration Office entry or VAT number, not the quality of its work. We cannot promise that a business will respond; if nobody takes the request within 21 days, we withdraw it. Offrano is not a party to any contract for the work.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a vulnerability scan and a penetration test?
A scan is automated and looks for known weaknesses. A penetration test is carried out by people who try to exploit weaknesses, chain them together and show the real impact. Scans are useful between tests, but they are not a substitute for one.
Is Cyber Essentials enough?
It covers the basic controls that stop the most common attacks, and it is required for certain public sector contracts. It does not test your applications, check your suppliers or prepare you for an incident. Many businesses start with Cyber Essentials and add testing or ISO 27001 as customers ask for more.
How long does ISO 27001 certification take?
It depends on how much is already documented and working. The management system has to run for a while before an audit can show it works, so plan in months.
Who regulates data protection in Ireland?
The Data Protection Commission, under the GDPR.
Source: dataprotection.ie
Why does only one business get my request?
So that you are not called by several firms at once. The business that takes it on has the request to itself.
Can I withdraw my request?
Yes, through the link in any email from Offrano. If a business has already taken it on, we pass your withdrawal to it straight away.
Ready to make your request?
Describe your project – your request goes to exactly one business.
Make a request