Ekco backs new AI platform with €4M to curb 'shadow AI' in Ireland
What's the deal? Ekco, a security-first managed service provider, has invested €4 million to launch Ekco AIDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a platform that helps organisations adopt AI securely while keeping visibility and control over its use. It lets businesses see which applications employees run, set guardrails, block risky tools, and reduce the chance of sensitive data leaking to unsanctioned systems.
Why now? The launch follows the EU AI Act's transparency obligations, which came into force on August 2, 2026, with more rules due in 2027 and 2028. Ekco AI creates an audit trail of AI activity and reporting for boards, auditors, and regulators.
What's the problem? Ekco's research found a typical business may run as many as 28 AI applications, creating a "shadow AI" blind spot where employers do not know which tools are in use or how company data is handled. Its controls also support compliance with the NIS2 cybersecurity directive and DORA for financial institutions.
What's the endgame? Beyond oversight, the platform offers role-based training on Microsoft CopilotDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, ClaudeDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and other tools, plus awareness training on data protection and unsafe practices. Ekco says it aims to boost employee productivity by more than five hours a week, saving businesses €2 million for every €10 million of operating costs.
"In reality, today's CIOs don't always know what AI platforms their employees are using," said Steve MacNicholas, chief executive officer of Ekco Ireland. "Ekco AI gives them that oversight and signals any applications that are potentially harmful."
What could go wrong? Cian Prendergast, chief executive officer of Ekco MSP, warned that heavy-handed policies may fail. "A blanket ban is not an effective answer because people may simply continue using the tools they already know," he said, adding that businesses need approved options, clear rules, and controls around data.
The signal: As regulators tighten AI rules and staff adopt tools faster than employers can track, governance is becoming the next battleground. Ekco is betting that giving employees sanctioned options — rather than banning them — is the way to turn unchecked experimentation into measurable gains.
Read more: Irish Tech News
Image credit: Generated with Gemini
