Trust in The Republic: Cybersecurity Sentiment in Ireland Post A Major Data Breach

As cyber threats escalate globally, understanding public attitudes towards data protection and institutional trust is crucial for effective reform. This exploratory study investigates cybersecurity perceptions in Ireland after the 2021 Health Service Executive (HSE) ransomware attack, using an anonymous survey of 106 participants. Statistical analysis showed that confidence in government platforms strongly predicts trust in healthcare organisations, while increased awareness of data security is associated with slightly lower trust in healthcare technology. Strong support (68.9%) for stricter data protection laws further emphasised the public demand for systemic change. These findings illustrate how major breaches influence public sentiment and highlight the need for transparent communication, robust regulation, and shared responsibility to protect the digital infrastructure.