Engagement Specialist – Cyber Security

ComReg Overview

ComReg is the statutory body responsible for regulating fixed and mobile communications, postal and premium rate services in Ireland since 1997.

Our mandate is to create a competitive marketplace, to protect and inform consumers, and to encourage innovation.

This is an exciting time of growth for ComReg as we are shortly to be given new responsibilities from Government covering digital matters arising from EU legislation that includes: the 2022 Network and Information Systems Directive (NIS2), the Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive – addressing cybersecurity and network resilience – plus the EU Data Act Regulation, and the European Accessibility Act (EAA).

We are a professional, multi-disciplinary organisation, operating in a dynamic electronic communications environment that is constantly evolving.

While the role of regulation is evolving, our fundamental mission remains the same. ComReg aims to facilitate the development of a competitive electronic communications sector in Ireland attracting investment, encouraging innovation and empowering consumers to choose and use communications services with confidence.

Cyber Security & Resilience Unit

ComReg has been designated as the NIS2 Directive National Competent Authority for the Digital Infrastructure, Digital Provider, ICT Service Management and Space Sectors. Additionally, ComReg has been designated as the CER Directive National Competent Authority for the Digital Infrastructure Sector.

The designation of ComReg as the National Competent Authority for NIS2 and CER require a division to execute new regulatory functions. This division will be the known as the Cyber Security and Resilience division.

The Cyber Security and Resilience Division responsibilities will include: ​​​​​​​

• Ex-ante supervision, compliance and enforcement of the NIS2 risk management security measures across entities on both a National and Pan-European basis.
• Ex-post supervision, compliance and enforcement of NIS2 risk management security measures triggered by incidents or identified threats.
• Remediation supervision and oversight for entities with NIS2 risk management security measures compliance issues.
• Engagement with entities in scope for NIS2.
• Cooperation and collaboration with other National and European National Competent Authorities and Single Points of Contact (SPOC).
• Participation in European and National Cyber Security and Resilience (NIS2/CER) working groups
• Execute CER functions including National Resilience Strategy and identification of Critical Entities etc.
• Strategic planning for all Cyber Security and Resilience related activities, including the dissemination of recommended strategy within ComReg to address Cyber Security and Resilience legislation.
• The division also works across ComReg organisationally, supporting regulatory activities (both policy and compliance) by providing technical and regulatory expertise on Cyber Security and Resilience topics.

The role and responsibilities

The Engagement Specialist: Cyber Security is an important role that will be at the forefront of engagement with stakeholders on a National and International level.

Reporting to Cyber Advisor: Policy Analysis and Engagement, the Engagement Specialist will:

• Coordinate engagement with entities in scope for NIS2 in the Digital Infrastructure, Digital Providers, ICT Service Management and Space sectors on a National and International basis.
• On-going engagement, cooperation and collaboration with other NIS2 National Competent Authorities (National/International), NIS2 Single Point of Contact and government departments/agencies as required.
• Develop and implement engagement strategies to be executed by ComReg.
• Coordination and representation at National/International working groups, conferences and other relevant representation where required.
• Support NIS2 awareness and cyber security compliance/enforcement activities through engagement with entities in scope.
• Provide analysis of cyber security policy/legislation formulating views for presentation to ComReg Senior Management.
• Develop understanding of the cyber security risk landscape within designated sectors through communication with entities.
• Provide representation of key items and challenges being experienced by entities.
• Provide support to cyber security technical advisors and managers where required.
• Coordination and management of events, meetings and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications and Experience required

Essential experience/knowledge

• An Honours degree, third level qualification or significant relevant experience, in law, public policy, science, technology, engineering or another equivalent area/s.
• Experience of national and/or international engagement within the Digital Infrastructure eco-system or within a regulatory environment.
• Strong stakeholder management skills within a cyber security or regulatory environment.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills including proven experience in communicating clearly, effectively, and knowledgeably about all aspects of a project, policy or engagement.
• Experience providing advice and briefings to managers, senior manager on relevant engagement related matters.
• Proven experience in the coordination and management of fora/events and participation in working groups with multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Cyber Security risk management or Cyber Security regulation

Desirable

• Hands on experience working within Cyber Security risk management, Cyber Security governance, risk and compliance or Cyber Security regulation.
• Relevant Cyber Security risk management qualifications including ISO27001, CISSP etc.
• Knowledge of NIS2, CER Directive regulation.

Core Competencies & Skills for the Role

Planning & Organising: Establishes and monitors priorities, systematically differentiating between urgent, important and unimportant tasks. Plans and manages activities to consistently deliver results. Meets objectives within agreed predetermined time frames and deals with urgent operational situations expeditiously.

Technical Knowledge & Continuous Improvement: Possesses a command over the technical and professional skills for a particular discipline. Keeps an open mind. Demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement.

Communicating & Influencing: Communicates clearly, confidently and respectfully. Engages, persuades and convinces others to follow a particular course of action. Ensures all relevant parties are appropriately updated and notified.

Teamwork: Promotes and enhances team performance through working collaboratively and in cooperation with others to achieve goals. Interacts in a manner that builds respect and fosters trust.

People Skills: Uses interpersonal skills to create engagement and clarity. Manages conflict and implements practical solutions. Recognises the impact of own behaviour and adjusts as required. Actively develops others.

Our Package

We are offering an attractive package:

• Salary €63,470.64 – €87,654.93* (entry will be at the minimum point and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.)
• Dublin city centre location – IFSC
• Blended working environment – 2 days in the office (flexibility for more days may be required depending on business needs)
• 28 days Annual Leave per year increases with service
• Attractive pension scheme
• Fully paid Maternity, Paternity and Parent’s leave
• Income protection scheme
• Education assistance and Training Opportunities
• Professional membership fee pay
• ComReg Wellbeing Programme –Wellbeing and Respect Charter | Commission for Communications Regulation
• Online gym
• Travel tax saver scheme, Access to Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a member run sports and social club

*(entry will be at the minimum point and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.)

Check out the Recruitment section of our Careers website if you have any questions or need further information about the role or the recruitment process -https://www.comreg.ie/about/careers/recruitment-faq/

Please Note (1)

We hope that our recruitment process supports applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We understand that having a diverse workforce contributes to making us stronger as an organisation. We are committed to positively supporting candidates with disabilities.

Please let us know if there are any reasonable accommodations we can make to enable you to take part in the process by creating the environment to give you the best opportunity to show your strengths and competencies. Rest assured that whatever information you disclose will only be used to enable us to provide the necessary support and will never have a bearing on the outcome of the process.

Please Note (2)

ComReg assesses all applicants fairly based on the requirements for the role. Due to the high volume of applications we receive for positions, we are unable to provide feedback to candidates who are not shortlisted for interview. If you are short-listed for interview, and are subsequently unsuccessful, you can request verbal feedback from your recruitment contact – if you are represented by an agency.