Liam Lynch, Founder and Cyber Security Evangelist with L2 Cyber Security Solutions, based just outside Limerick in the Co. Tipperary village of Rearcross.
https://www.l2cybersecurity.com
10 Limerick Chamber Member Interview Questions
Liam spoke with us about his new business, which he started in 2016 after seeing a lack of suitable offerings to businesses in the Mid-West. He realised early on that the Limerick Chamber would be a great vehicle for him to connect with a lot of other businesses in the area via the many events they run and the business referral groups that meet fortnightly.
- Tell us about your business?
L2 Cyber Security Solutions is a training and consulting business focussed on Cyber Security and Data Privacy & Protection. We also provide Business Continuity and IT Disaster Recovery Planning advice. Our maxim is “Security Simplified” and we deliver training and advice on, what is highly technical topics, but in a manner that is easily followed by people with no technical background.
Our focus in the first year was creating a comprehensive Internet Security Awareness and Safety Training package. A lot of businesses spend money on technological solutions to protect themselves from hackers and viruses. While these are essential, unfortunately a member of staff opening an attachment or clicking on a link in a malicious e-mail can completely bypass these protections and cause a business to have hours or even days of downtime because the colleague wasn’t able to realise the e-mail was dodgy. The training we deliver covers a broad range of topics which show the methods the bad guys use to dupe people. Trainees are then much less likely to fall for the dubious e-mail or other social engineering tricks.
This year we have added Data Privacy & Protection training and consulting to our portfolio, working in collaboration with Molly O’Neill of MJ O’Neill Financial Compliance Ltd. The driving factor here is the enforcement of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May 2018. This is replacing the previous Data Protection Directive which comes from 1995, which predates Google, Facebook, etc. The GDPR will affect every business, charity, sport and social club … basically any organisation that in some way stores or processes Personal Data. The lack of awareness amongst small business owners is worrisome, so we are striving to improve this in the region.
- How did you get into the industry?
I started my career proper nearly 30 years ago as a developer on IBM midrange systems, but in the 1990’s I changed focus towards design and support of IT Infrastructure of which networking and security was a huge part. In the early 2000’s I created standard Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery templates for the global business unit that I worked for at the time. These were still in use even after I had left the company more than 10 years later.
But going right back, before I left St. Munchin’s College I was a member of the FCA (now the Reserve Defence Force) in which I always seemed to get picked for escort duty, which I really valued the trust placed in me. Also when I was in CoACT Moylish (now LIT) I helped with security at events the Student Union organised, in particular Rag Week events. So for the longest time I was seeing and thinking security in anything I do.
- What’s the best thing about being in business in Limerick?
There are lots of great supports available to small business owners in Limerick, particularly from other business owners who freely give advice and support to each other. The City Centre suffered dreadfully through the recent recession, but there is a great buzz now resurfacing and it’s great that the Limerick Chamber is helping by lobbying for various investments to be made in the region to stimulate further growth.
- What do you find most beneficial in regards to being Limerick Chamber member?
For me, being a relatively new business and working for myself for the first time, the biggest benefit of being a Chamber member is the networking opportunities that I am provided with, including the business referral groups. This helps me meet other businesses and learn what they do and how I can help them.
- What has given you most satisfaction in business?
Having somebody who only met me for 5 minutes ring me up 6 months later with a proposal to collaborate on a project which has been very successful for both of us, since. Thanks Molly!
- Who are your business icons or inspirations?
Paul Kelleher, my Deputy Manager in my first job in QBE (Europe) Ltd. in Shannon, drilled the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid) into me. In my youthful eagerness I tended to over-complicate the code I was developing, without considering that others would have to maintain it afterwards. So with KISS I made sure to consider others when producing anything. This led to the “Security Simplified” maxim.
- What has been your biggest challenge in business, and how did you surmount it?
I was struggling with time management, because I was having to do all the administrative “stuff” as well as that which makes the business money and it was beginning to get on top of me earlier this year. However I got some business coaching, which helped me identify precisely what I needed to do and then set a time and place for everything. Since then I have managed to get back focussed on what’s important and still have time allocated to handle the administrative “stuff”.
- Work-Life balance: is it possible? How do you achieve it?
Working for myself has been great as it enables me to be more flexible with my day, though I still put in more hours than when I was an employee. I have three dogs which insist on their daily walks and they know how and when to ask. J I’m also involved in a few community initiatives in my locality which provide a good distraction from work, for me.
- What is the first thing you do every day?
Let the dogs out, have a coffee and check Twitter to see what’s new in the world of Cyber Security and Data Protection.
- What advice would you give to someone starting out in business?
Do what you love. Meet lots of people and tell them what you do. Stay positive. Seek out the supports from various organisations like Limerick Chamber, LEO’s, Skillnets and the PAUL Partnership.
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