Region needs coordinated approach to cyber-crime
-Cyber Security Workshop hosted
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, July 12, 2018
Governments in the region are being urged to standardise practices to address the increasing threats associated with cyber-crime.
Coordinator of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), Junior Mc Intyre during a workshop on Cyber Security hosted today as part of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) roadshow, explained that countries in the region need to have the appropriate technical standards and infrastructure in place.
The setting up of cyber-security emergency response committees was touted as an effective coordinated approach to tackling cyber-crime, “you need to be able to talk to the right people at the right time, all of that requires collaboration…you need to be able to contact and communicate with people when your neighbour has a threat or if you perceive a threat.”
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Strategic Plan 2015-2019 lists Cyber Crime as an obstacle to social and economic development in the region and outlines five priority areas, among them public awareness and building sustainable capacity in member countries.
Mc Intyre said an effective Cyber Security Framework requires a wide range of skills to support the prevention, detection and prosecution of cyber-crime and ensure sustainability and relevance in a changing environment.
“You [governments] need to have that structure, that organisation, you need to be clear on the policies in place, you need to be clear on the standards, people need to be aware of the issues,” he noted.
Mc Intyre emphasised that to ensure a secured network, all stakeholders must be aware of cyber-crime and its threats and appropriate legislation must be placed.
The CARICOM Strategic Plan, the CTU Coordinator said establishes a proper governance structure including the Regional Cyber Committee (RCC), as well as identifies minimum standards for cyber-security for each country.
As Guyana continues to open up and move further onto the global square the administration has drafted a Cyber Crime Bill which is meant to strengthen the country’s ability to defend itself against cyber-attacks, which is now a global issue.
The Bill is slated for further debate in the National Assembly before being laid.
By: Stacy Carmichael.