“Cybersafety: Empowering a Cyber Safe Society” is a study that aims to create tailored cyber security advice to ensure that older adults are less vulnerable to cyber-attacks. In the “Creating our Futures” report, mitigating the digital divide in society, and in particular for older people, was a core concern to citizens.

This research is being conducted as part of the Science Foundation Ireland ‘Our Tech’ Challenge fund and is led by Dr. Hazel Murray, Cyber Skills Project and Computer Science Department, Munster Technological University.

By involving a diverse range of stakeholders, including public institutions, private companies, and non-governmental organizations, we are designing a comprehensive support system to address the needs of older adults. Workshops have also been held across the country to spread awareness of appropriate cyber hygiene measures for safe engagement with technology. Informal support networks, including friends, family, and community volunteers, are crucial for fostering trust with technology and providing one-to-one assistance.

These efforts aim to equip older adults with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize online threats, secure their devices, and protect personal information. This project aims to create a supportive digital environment, ensuring older adults can embrace technology with confidence in an evolving digital landscape.