When faced with the changing landscape and potentially devastating impact of cyberattacks, the predominant question is, “What can police leaders do to prepare?” An Garda Síochána (Ireland’s National Police and Security Service) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland are two police agencies from different jurisdictions with different laws both located on the island of Ireland. These agencies have come together to proactively and collaboratively prepare for a cyberattack that could impact the entire island. The approach, including anticipated threats and lessons learned, can serve as an example of what police agencies can do to prepare for such an attack, regardless of their agency’s size or budget.

The Evolving Cyberthreat Landscape

In today’s interconnected world, the cyberthreat landscape is more volatile and sophisticated than ever. Cyberattacks are no longer isolated incidents targeting individual systems but complex, coordinated operations aimed at critical infrastructure, corporations, and governments. From ransomware attacks crippling entire industries to state-sponsored espionage campaigns, the range and scope of threats continue to expand at an alarming pace. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), internet-connected devices (i.e., the internet of things or IoT), and cloud computing has created new attack surfaces, while hybrid work environments have blurred the boundaries of traditional network defenses.

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