Latest news with #Munster-based
Irish Independent
15 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Majority of Irish companies are not minimising risk of cyber attacks, according to new survey
The poll, taken among 100 'decision-makers' in Irish companies by the insurance and risk management firm Gallagher, also found that just four in 10 run system vulnerability scans or regular updates of software and that more than half (51pc) do not run regular automated data back-ups. Cumulatively, this opens the door to cyber criminals, Gallagher claims. Meanwhile, only four in 10 Irish firms have given their staff cybersecurity training and less than half use multi-factor authentication for applications utilising remote access. Despite the gaps, 92pc of Irish businesses believe they are 'adequately' protected against cyber attacks, a claim that exposes a 'disconnect between perception and reality', according to the insurance firm. 'Research published by Gallagher earlier this summer found that four in 10 Irish businesses suffered at least one cyber attack in the last five years, and of those businesses, 88pc suffered a financial loss and commercial disruption,' said Laura Vickers, managing director of commercial lines at Gallagher in Ireland. 'It is important that Irish businesses are not complacent about the threats out there and that they don't overestimate their cyber resilience or underestimate the potential impact of a cyber attack. Our research suggests that there is a mismatch between how well protected businesses in Ireland believe they are against cyber attacks and the steps they have taken to manage such threats.' The survey also found a big gap between British and Irish firms, with UK businesses (71pc) more inclined than their Irish counterparts (43pc) to run regular software updates and to train all staff on cybersecurity (57pc versus 39pc). However, 94pc of Irish businesses have a dedicated cyber insurance policy compared to 79pc of UK businesses, the poll found. The businesses that feel least protected against cyber attacks are those in the professional services (75pc) compared to healthcare (83pc), IT (83pc) and financial services (89pc). The businesses that feel most protected against cyber attacks are those in agriculture, business services, construction, hospitality and leisure, legal services, marketing/PR, manufacturing, retail and utilities, with 100pc of business decision-makers in these sectors saying they feel sheltered against such threats. Munster-based businesses were the most likely to feel protected against cyber attacks with every one of the organisations located in the province surveyed indicating this to be the case. Ulster-based businesses were the second most likely to feel protected (94pc) followed by Dublin-based firms (92pc), followed by those in Leinster (90pc) and Connacht (89pc) 'Regularly updating software is a very basic step but it is crucial for cybersecurity, as updates often include security patches that address vulnerabilities and this in turn could potentially prevent cyber attacks and data breaches. Yet our survey shows that only 43pc of Irish businesses do this,' said Ms Vickers. 'Automatic data back-up is another crucial cybersecurity measure, as it helps protect against data loss from various incidents such as ransomware attacks, hardware failures, and accidental deletions. Automated back-ups are considered more reliable and less error-prone than manual back-ups. Yet only half of Irish businesses run regular automated data back-ups.'
Axios
28-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Indy hosts craft beer convention amid difficulty in industry
The Craft Brewers Conference arrives at the Indiana Convention Center at a critical moment for the nation's brewing business. Why it matters: The once-thriving industry struggled in 2024, posting its third consecutive year with negative growth, a trend driven by market saturation and shifts in alcohol consumption, particularly among younger drinkers. The big picture: Now breweries are dealing with rising ingredient costs and uncertainty surrounding tariffs on equipment. What they're saying:"These costs can add a lot of challenges for these breweries, and as a result, they may be delaying expansion plans, figuring out ways to absorb losses (and) whether or not they need to raise prices," Ann Obenchain, vice president of sales and marketing at the Brewers Association, told Axios. Driving the news: More than 10,000 people are expected in Indianapolis this week for the 2025 Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America, a four-day trade show and planning session that kicked off Monday. The event is also home of the World Beer Cup, the world's largest beer competition which closes the show Thursday. State of play: Hosted by the Brewers Association, the gathering follows this month's release of annual figures showing U.S. craft beer production declined 4% in 2024 compared to the previous year, the largest drop in industry history outside the pandemic. Zoom in: Last year was also the first time since 2005 that the number of closings outpaced openings nationwide — 430 breweries opened while 529 closed. Officials said openings dropping for the fourth consecutive year is the result of a maturing and highly competitive industry. Scarlet Lane Brewing and 2Toms Brewing Company both closed their Indy area locations last year. Yes, but: The total number of breweries in the U.S. increased to 9,922, up from 9,838 in 2023. And employment in the craft brewing sector is up 3% year-over-year. Obenchain said the growth is driven by a shift toward hospitality-focused models like taprooms and brewpubs, which create more jobs. By the numbers: From 2011-2022, the number of Indiana craft breweries tracked by the association increased each year. But breweries in the state dropped nearly 5% to 194 in 2024, 17th in the U.S. Indiana ranks 22nd in barrels of craft beer produced annually at more than 233,000. Hoosier breweries employ 10,000 people and have an economic impact of nearly $1.5 billion. 🏆 1 cool thing: Indiana is represented on the Brewers Association's 2024 list for the top 50 companies in terms of production with Munster-based 3 Floyds Brewing at No. 26. Fun fact: The conference comes with a commemorative beer called Brewers of the Corn, which is a nod to the Stephen King novel and a celebration of Indiana's agricultural knowhow.
Chicago Tribune
22-04-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Longtime Munster hospice volunteer feels 'blessed' to offer comfort
Lydia Dershewitz starts her day as a volunteer at William J. Riley Memorial Residence making rounds, similar to any healthcare professional. It's been part of a routine Dershewitz has enjoyed doing for the past 25 years at the Munster-based hospice home. 'I go home at night and feel so blessed to have this wonderful place. I feel like I've come home. This is a very, very special place,' Dershewitz said. During a recent afternoon, Dershewitz along with fellow volunteer, pre-med student Kayla Skertich, stopped by the bedside of Joanne VanDrunen to ask her if she or family members needed anything. VanDrunen, a patient at the residence, easily chats while resting comfortably in her room at Riley House, an eight-bedroom house sponsored by Hospice of the Calumet Area. The two women in the past have even exchanged recipes, including one from VanDrunen for a special sweet potato dish. 'She's the best in the world,' VanDrunen said of Dershewitz. VanDrunen has come there to spend her remaining days in hospice care and, on this afternoon, enjoys a visit from her son, Mark VanDrunen, who sits nearby in an easy chair. 'Everybody whose family has ever been here has only great things to say about this place,' her son said. Dershewitz, who moved to Northwest Indiana 25 years ago from the Boston area, expressed an interest in working as a hospice volunteer and made an appointment to speak to Cynthia Camp, director of volunteers. Camp admits it's a volunteer job that's not for everyone but Dershewitz is remarkable. 'She (Dershewitz) is an exceptional person. It's her positive energy which affects everyone she works with,' Camp said. In addition to working as a patient companion volunteer at Riley, Dershewitz also volunteers for the Friends of Hospice as well as the Artisan Group which makes products to sell such as jewelry or crocheted comfort shawls as part of fundraising efforts. 'She's had a very busy 25 years. She's just an inspiration. Other volunteers see her enthusiasm and they want to get involved,' Camp said. Volunteers, which number about 400, play a number of crucial roles including working in the office or taking part in various fundraising efforts. COVID-19 had a devastating effect on the entire country and hospice was no exception, she said. 'We definitely could use more patient volunteers because of COVID. We're still rebuilding,' she said. Prior to COVID, Riley had 72 patient volunteers, but during the pandemic that number dipped to 23. 'At Riley, we are slowly building back up and are back in the 30s,' Camp said. Patient companion volunteers are needed as well as bereavement volunteers and companion K-9 dogs. Volunteers include those in their teens all the way through those well into their 90s, she said. Those volunteers who work at Riley are assigned to a nurse and nurse's aide. Those volunteers who work in homes are considered more of a 'friendly neighbor,' sent to the home when requested and there to sit with patients while family members sleep or take some time off. All volunteers, after an initial interview and screening, undergo training. 'To do this kind of work takes a unique individual. Families grieving and people dying. Not everyone can do that work,' Camp said. Dying is mostly a taboo subject in today's society. 'We don't like to talk about dying or getting old. But we are all going to do that,' she said. Those who are referred to hospice, by a physician, include those living in Lake, Porter, LaPorte and the surrounding Illinois suburbs, said Damian Rico, marketing director at the Hospice of the Calumet Area. 'We don't turn anyone away,' he said. Many of the volunteers include high school and college students such as Skertich, a third-year pre-med student at Purdue University Northwest. She became a volunteer in January and is able to fill that role in addition to her studies and other volunteer work. 'This is my thing,' Skertich said. Hospice of the Calumet Area serves patients in a variety of ways: Outpatient care at their own home, in an assisted living facility or nursing home, or in-facility care at the William J. Riley Memorial Residence. The idea for a hospice, the first in Northwest Indiana, was formed in 1979 when Diocese of Gary Bishop Andrew Grutka appointed local medical leaders and clergy to investigate a new concept for end-of-life services. It was a grassroots effort, facilitated by a major gift from the East Chicago Knights Columbus. The resulting nonprofit agency, then known as Hospice of Northwest Indiana, admitted its first patient in October 1981. Those wanting to become a volunteer should call Cynthia Camp at 219-922-2732 or email her at ccamp@
