With a huge upsurge in the number of people working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are facing increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks which prey on fear and anxiety. We look at how businesses can protect their interests during the current crisis, and the steps that they may need to take if they fall victim to a cyberattack.
Commercial & Technology
The speed of developments in regard to the COVID-19 crisis is typified by the fact that the European Commission's State Aid Temporary Framework to support the economy (the "Temporary Framework") which was adopted on 19 March 2020 had to be amended and extended on 3 April 2020.
COVID-19
On Saturday 4th April the UK Government issued some further much needed guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the Scheme). Important questions remain outstanding but this updated guidance does bring employer a step closer to understanding the applicability of the Scheme to their employees.
COVID-19 BelfastDomestically, the Central Bank of Ireland publishes insurance corporations statistics for Q4 2019 and sets out its expectations of insurers in light of the COVID-19 emergency; At European level EIOPA publishes statement on actions to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the EU insurance sector.
FinanceDomestically, the Second Shareholders' Rights Directive has become operational in Ireland, and the Central Bank of Ireland has increased its engagements with firms in response to COVID-19; At European level ESMA has made recommendations to financial market participants for COVI-19 impact, and introduced a temporary requirement obliging net short position holders to report positions of 0.1% and
FinanceDomestically, the Central Bank has published a statement on essential services in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as its Consumer Protection Outlook 2020; At European level the European Commission has adopted a Temporary Framework for State aid measures to help Member States deal with the impact of COVID-19.
FinanceDomestically, the second Shareholders' Rights Directive has come into effect in Irish law; At European level ESMA has issued recommendations for financial market participants in light of COVID-19. ESMA has also set out the approach on MiFIR tick-size regime for Systematic Internalisers; launched a number of consultation papers; and relaxed requirements relating to call taping under MiFID II.
FinanceDomestically, a range of banking measures have been announced in response to the outbreak of COVID-19, to support customers, businesses, and the wider economy. Euronext Brussels has been designated as a market by Revenue; At European level, the ECB, ESMA, and BCBS have announced measures in response to COVID-19.
Finance
Many businesses have closed their premises voluntarily in recent weeks, with more still told to do so as emergency legislation was rushed through, in the hope of limiting the spread of coronavirus.
COVID-19 Belfast
In response to the effect of COVID-19 on Irish businesses the Government, and in particular the Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection (DEASP), introduced a range of financial measures to support businesses and their workers who are effected by the COVID-19 crisis.
COVID-19
The rapid spread of COVID-19 has had extraordinarily far reaching ramifications for all sectors of industry, not least the legal system.
COVID-19
Consumer protection law in Ireland is mainly enforced by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). On 2 April 2020, the CCPC issued an alert entitled "COVID-19 Business Reminder – Payment Methods".
COVID-19
