, image= Badge of the Irish Communication and Information Corps.svg , image_size = 150 , dates= , caption=Badge of the CIS Corps , country= , command_structure= Badge of the Irish Defence Forces

Defence Forces The phrase Defence Force(s) (or Defense Force(s) in US English - see spelling differences) is in the title of the armed forces of certain countries and territories. Defence forces * Ambazonia Defence Forces *Artsakh Defence Army * Australian Defen ...

, branch=

Army An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...

Naval Service
Air Corps , type= Military communications , role=Installation, maintenance and operation of

telecommunication Telecommunication is the transmission of information by various types of technologies over wire, radio, optical, or other electromagnetic systems. It has its origin in the desire of humans for communication over a distance greater than that fe ...

s and ICT systems
Signals intelligence

Cybersecurity Computer security, cybersecurity (cyber security), or information technology security (IT security) is the protection of computer systems and networks from attack by malicious actors that may result in unauthorized information disclosure, t ...

, motto= , nickname= , battles= , size=

Battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions a ...

(minus) strength , garrison=

McKee Barracks McKee Barracks () is a military installation situated on Blackhorse Avenue near Phoenix Park in Cabra, Dublin, Ireland. History Known first as Grangegorman Barracks, taking its name from the historical civil parish in which it was situated, this ...

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of the Wicklow Mountains range. At the 2016 c ...

, identification_symbol= , identification_symbol_label=Collar badge , identification_symbol_2=CIS , identification_symbol_2_label=Abbreviation , website= The Communications and Information Services Corps (CIS) ( ga, An Cór Seirbhísí Cumarsáide agus Eolais) – formerly the Army Corps of Signals – is one of the combat support corps of the Irish Defence Forces, the military of

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

. It is responsible for the installation, maintenance and operation of

communications Communication (from la, communicare, meaning "to share" or "to be in relation with") is usually defined as the transmission of information. The term may also refer to the message communicated through such transmissions or the field of inquir ...

and

information system An information system (IS) is a formal, sociotechnical, organizational system designed to collect, process, store, and distribute information. From a sociotechnical perspective, information systems are composed by four components: task, people ...

s for the command, control and administration of the Defence Forces, and the facilitation of accurate,

real-time Real-time or real time describes various operations in computing or other processes that must guarantee response times within a specified time (deadline), usually a relatively short time. A real-time process is generally one that happens in defined ...

sharing of intelligence between the

, Naval Service and Air Corps branches at home and overseas. The CIS Corps is headquartered at

, and comes under the command of an officer of

Colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge o ...

rank, known as the Director of CIS Corps.

Mission

Formerly the Army Corps of Signals, the Communications and Information Services Corps is responsible for the development and operation of Information Technology and Telecommunications systems in support of Defence Forces tasks. It is also responsible for coordinating all communications – radio and line – and information systems, communications research and updating of communications in line with modern developments and operational requirements. The CIS Corps are tasked with utilising networking and information technologies in order to dramatically increase Defence Force

operational effectiveness Effectiveness is the capability of producing a desired result or the ability to produce desired output. When something is deemed effective, it means it has an intended or expected outcome, or produces a deep, vivid impression. Etymology The ori ...

through the provision of timely and accurate information to the appropriate commander, along with the real time efficient sharing of information and intelligence with the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, as well as with multinational partners involved in international peacekeeping and other actors as required. This role includes the development and maintenance of a secure nationwide Defence Forces Telecommunications Network (DFTN), which can support both protected voice and data services, and the provision and maintenance of

encrypted In cryptography, encryption is the process of encoding information. This process converts the original representation of the information, known as plaintext, into an alternative form known as ciphertext. Ideally, only authorized parties can deci ...

military communications equipment for use by Defence Forces personnel at home and abroad. CIS Corps units are dispersed throughout the DF giving Communications and IT support to each of the Army Brigades; Naval Service, Air Corps,

Defence Forces Training Centre , image = Defense Force Training Centre Flag (Ireland).svg , image_size = 200px , caption = Flag of the DFTC , dates = , country = , role = , size = , command_structure = Defence Forces , garrison = *Curragh Camp, County Kildare *G ...

(DFTC) and Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ). The CIS Corps have Base Workshops where detailed maintenance, research and development is conducted. The CIS Corps collar flash features the angel

Gabriel In Abrahamic religions ( Judaism, Christianity and Islam), Gabriel (); Greek: grc, Γαβριήλ, translit=Gabriḗl, label=none; Latin: ''Gabriel''; Coptic: cop, Ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ, translit=Gabriêl, label=none; Amharic: am, ገብ ...

, the messenger of God, behind a signal shield and the caption ''"Cór Comharthaíochta"''. This is the Irish translation for 'Signals Corps', while the translation for Communications and Information Services Corps is ''"An Cór Seirbhísí Cumarsáide agus Eolais"''.

Signals intelligence & cyber

The Communications and Information Services (CIS) Corps works with the Defence Forces intelligence branch, the Directorate of Military Intelligence (J2), with regards to signals intelligence (SIGINT), and houses a dedicated SIGINT element within the Corps. The DF CIS Corps has the ability to intercept and monitor communications, remotely collect data, and process it. Under Irish legislation, the ''Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009'' and ''Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993'' provides the Defence Forces with the legal authority to conduct domestic intelligence operations involving espionage, electronic communications and stored electronic information in order to safeguard and maintain the security of the state. The CIS Corps along with the Garda Síochána, the national police force, provide a significant domestic support role to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment in countering

cyber-attack A cyberattack is any offensive maneuver that targets computer information systems, computer networks, infrastructures, or personal computer devices. An attacker is a person or process that attempts to access data, functions, or other restricted ...

s, protecting critical national infrastructure and securing

government A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary. Government is ...

communications. CIS is responsible for cyber security within the Defence Forces, and maintains a capability in that area for the purpose of protecting its own networks and users domestic and foreign. In 2016 the establishment of the Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) in DFHQ CIS Company was revealed. In July 2015, leaked email correspondence from ''

Hacking Team HackingTeam was a Milan-based information technology company that sold offensive intrusion and surveillance capabilities to governments, law enforcement agencies and corporations. Its "''Remote Control Systems''" enable governments and corporatio ...

'' – a private

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

spying and eavesdropping software company – reportedly showed members of the Irish CIS Corps in discussions with the company to purchase intrusion and surveillance "solutions" for the

lawful interception Lawful interception (LI) refers to the facilities in telecommunications and telephone networks that allow law enforcement agencies with court orders or other legal authorization to selectively wiretap individual subscribers. Most countries require ...

of online communications, such as monitoring incoming and outgoing emails, browsing activity,

Skype Skype () is a proprietary telecommunications application operated by Skype Technologies, a division of Microsoft, best known for VoIP-based videotelephony, videoconferencing and voice calls. It also has instant messaging, file transfer, deb ...

calls, remotely switching on webcams and microphones and remotely taking control of devices. A Defence Forces spokesperson said that for operational security reasons it could not comment on specific elements of the activities of the CIS Corps, but confirmed that no goods or services were purchased from the company in question. The CIS Corps deployed 'ethical hackers' to fight back against the

Health Service Executive ransomware attack On 14 May 2021, the Health Service Executive (HSE) of Ireland suffered a major ransomware cyberattack which caused all of its Information technology, IT systems nationwide to be shut down. It was the most significant Cybercrime, cybercrime attac ...

in mid-2021, and sent CIS personnel to hospitals and HSE offices in order to decrypt devices affected by the cyberattack onsite. Reservists were particularly useful to this effort due to their cybersecurity skills and experienced gleaned from the private sector.

CIS School

Nordic Battle Group ISTAR Training - CIS (5014802188)

Soldiers join the Communications and Information Services Corps in one of the following apprenticeship trades; *Communication Operative *Electronic

Engineering Technician An engineering technician is a professional trained in skills and techniques related to a specific branch of technology, with a practical understanding of the relevant engineering concepts. Engineering technicians often assist engineers and engi ...

Software Engineering Software engineering is a systematic engineering approach to software development. A software engineer is a person who applies the principles of software engineering to design, develop, maintain, test, and evaluate computer software. The term '' ...

Technician * Information Technology Support Technician *Communications & Information Services Technician *Regimental

Signaller A signaller, signalman, colloquially referred to as a radioman or signaleer in the armed forces is a specialist soldier, sailor or airman responsible for military communications. Signallers, a.k.a. Combat Signallers or signalmen or women, are ...

*Radio Instructor *Telephone Maintenance Technician *Data Communications Technician *Microwave Systems Technician *

Network Administrator A network administrator is a person designated in an organization whose responsibility includes maintaining computer infrastructures with emphasis on local area networks (LANs) up to wide area networks (WANs). Responsibilities may vary between org ...

All personnel do their basic military training. The CIS School runs a large number of CIS related courses, including a degree programme in Military Communications for CIS technicians in association with the

Institute of Technology, Carlow The Institute of Technology, Carlow (IT Carlow; ga, Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Cheatharlach) was an institute of technology, located in Carlow, Ireland. The institute had campuses in Carlow, Wexford, and Wicklow, as well as a part-time prov ...

. There are 3 sections to the CIS School, providing training in the areas of operational procedures, technical proficiency and simulation. Procedural and Operations Section (Proc/Ops); * Communications Operative Course * Detachment Commanders Course * Aerial Riggers Course * Regimental Signals Course * CIS Standard NCO Course * CIS Young Officers Course Technical Section; * CIS Trainee Technician Scheme (TTS) * Technical Training Advancement Courses * Strategic Applications Training Simulation Section; * Digital Indoor Range Theatres (DIRT) * Command and Staff Trainer The DIRT range is a digital indoor shooting range in which trainees can be assessed on their marksmanship skills for the various small arms weapons used by the DF. It helps develop these proficiencies methodically without firing live ammunition on a regular basis. The €1 million facility is based at the

Department of Defence Department of Defence or Department of Defense may refer to: Current departments of defence * Department of Defence (Australia) * Department of National Defence (Canada) * Department of Defence (Ireland) * Department of National Defense (Philipp ...

properties at Kilworth Camp,

County Cork County Cork ( ga, Contae Chorcaí) is the largest and the southernmost county of Ireland, named after the city of Cork, the state's second-largest city. It is in the province of Munster and the Southern Region. Its largest market towns a ...

Communications and Information Services Corps Units

Active units

CIS Company, Defence Forces Headquarters

Defence Forces Headquarters CIS Company (DFHQ CIS Coy),

* Communications Division, Naval Service (Comms Div, NS), Halbouline, Cork *Air Corps CIS Squadron,

Casement Aerodrome Casement Aerodrome ( ga, Aeradróm Mhic Easmainn) or Baldonnel Aerodrome is a military airbase to the southwest of Dublin, Ireland situated off the N7 main road route to the south and south west. It is the headquarters and the sole airfield of ...

, Baldonnel, Dublin *CIS Group (including CIS School, Base Signal Workshops, Base Technical Stores)

Curragh Camp The Curragh Camp ( ga, Campa an Churraigh) is an army base and military college in The Curragh, County Kildare, Ireland. It is the main training centre for the Irish Defence Forces and is home to 2,000 military personnel. History Longstanding ...

Kildare Kildare () is a town in County Kildare, Ireland. , its population was 8,634 making it the 7th largest town in County Kildare. The town lies on the R445, some west of Dublin – near enough for it to have become, despite being a regional ce ...

1 Field CIS Company (1 Fd CIS Coy),

Collins Barracks Collins Barracks ( ga, Dún Uí Choileáin) is a former military barracks in the Arbour Hill area of Dublin, Ireland. The buildings now house the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History. Previously housing both British Arm ...

, Cork *

2 Field CIS Company (2 Fd CIS Coy), Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin

Retired units

*4 Field CIS Company (4 FD CIS COY),

Custume Barracks Custume Barracks () is a military installation at Athlone in Ireland. History Barracks The barracks were built originally as temporary accommodation for cavalry and infantry units in 1691. The barracks are named after a Sergeant Custume, wh ...

, Athlone *31 Reserve Field CIS Company (31 RES FD CIS COY),

Sarsfield Barracks Sarsfield Barracks () is an Irish Army Barracks in Limerick city. It houses both Permanent and Reserve Defence Forces of the Irish Defence Forces. History The barracks, originally called New Barracks, were built on land leased from a Mr J.T. ...

Limerick Limerick ( ; ga, Luimneach ) is a western city in Ireland situated within County Limerick. It is in the province of Munster and is located in the Mid-West which comprises part of the Southern Region. With a population of 94,192 at the 2016 ...

and Collins Barracks, Cork *54 Reserve Field CIS Company (54 RES FD CIS COY), Custume Barracks, Athlone and Military Post, Sligo * 62CIS

62 Reserve Field CIS Company (62 RES FD CIS COY), Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin ''The

Reserve Defence Forces , image = , caption = , image2 = , caption2 = , motto = , founded = 1 October 2005 , current_form = , disbanded = , branches = Army Reser ...

(RDF) units have been integrated with the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) units as part of the "single force concept".''

References

External links

Defence Forces Ireland - Army Corps - Communications and Information Services Corps

Defence Forces Ireland - Air Corps - Communication & Information Services Squadron
{{DEFAULTSORT:Communications and Information Services Corps Military communications corps CIS Corps Irish intelligence agencies Signals intelligence agencies Computer security organizations Cryptography organizations Software engineering organizations Cyberwarfare Information technology management Communications in the Republic of Ireland