James Spillane awarded the annual “Sean Hennessy Bursary” from eSentire

James Spillane, Myrtleville, who is currently studying Computer Science in MTU was awarded the annual “Sean Hennessy Bursary” from eSentire last week.

eSentire is a leading global Managed Detection and Response (MDR) cybersecurity services provider. This year, eSentire is also celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the opening of its international headquarters and Security Operations Centre (SOC) in Cork, Ireland.

The Sean Hennessy Bursary provides college financial aid, as well as the opportunity to participate in a nine-month internship with eSentire. The scholarship is named in honour of the late Sean Hennessy, a former eSentire team member who was instrumental in establishing and managing eSentire’s Global SOC in Cork in 2015. Sean Hennessy passed away in 2016. 

James Spillane, a student of the BSc (Hons) in IT Management and Cybersecurity at Munster Technological University (MTU) from Myrtleville, Co. Cork, has been awarded the prestigious eSentire Sean Hennessy Bursary for the 2024/25 academic year. The scholarship, supported by global cybersecurity leader eSentire, recognises academic excellence and commitment to the field of cybersecurity.

Photo: Joleen Cronin

This is the fourth year that the Sean Hennessy Bursary has been awarded to a MTU student.  Impressively, the three previous recipients of the award are all currently employed with eSentire’s Global SOC in Cork, Ireland. Each of them has reached various stages of eSentire’s Career Development Program, which fosters and supports security analysts’ growth through attainment of internal and external certifications, mentoring and progression.

“I am delighted and honoured to have been selected as this year's recipient of the Sean Hennessy Bursary,” said James Spillane, 2025 eSentire Sean Hennessy Bursary winner. “I would like to sincerely thank everyone at eSentire for this incredible opportunity to further explore the fascinating world of cybersecurity, which is a passion and interest of mine. I am also grateful to MTU for their support and guidance through my studies. Receiving this award is an honour and a fulfilling achievement, I want to thank everyone involved for this prestigious opportunity.”