Talks begin to move National Cyber Security Centre to Department of Justice

As well as the NCSC, the internet policy section of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications is also expected to transfer to the Department of Justice. Stock picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA

Top-level civil servants have started talks to implement a Government decision to move the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) from the Department of Communications to the Department of Justice.

The transfer is part of a number of commitments in the Programme for Government to organise and strengthen national security structures in the face of growing threats, including in area of cybersecurity.

The NCSC is the lead Government agency in cybersecurity and its responsibilities have been massively expanded as a result of a number of new EU cyber directives, with more on the way.

The body has seen an increase in its budget and staffing in recent years and is set to receive a significant increase in its legal powers under legislation currently going through the Oireachtas.

It is unclear which minister of state is now responsible for cybersecurity, including the NCSC, and neither department was in a position to confirm officially what the situation is.

It is thought that political responsibility might become clear in the coming weeks as to which of the two ministers of state in the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration assumes the role.

In addition to the NCSC, the internet policy section of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), is also expected to transfer to the Department of Justice.

The NCSC moved into a state-of-the-art secure floor of DECC offices at Beggars Bush in Ballsbridge, Dublin, last year, so it is expected it will remain there.

It is expected the DECC internet policy unit, also in the Beggars Bush accommodation, albeit on a different floor, would remain in situ too.

Once a statutory instrument is announced in the Dáil, the transfer is supposed to happen within eight weeks.

In a statement, the DECC said: “As outlined in the Programme for Government, the Department of Justice will ‘Bring the National Centre for Cyber Security and the National Security Authority under the remit of the Department of Justice to ensure proper alignment of national security infrastructure.’

“The Department is following the process and principles outlined in the [Department of Public Expenditure and Reform] Handbook on Transfers of Functions which begins with bilateral engagement between Secretaries General. This process has commenced and is ongoing.”

A statement from the Department of Justice also cited the handbook on transfers.

“The Department of Justice and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications will work together to implement the transfer of function and the precise details as to the functions to be transferred will be determined as part of that process,” it said.

“The effective date for the transfer will be determined by a Transfer of Function Order under the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939 which will require the prior approval of Government.”