National Cybersecurity Strategy Making an Impact
By: , January 13, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Mark Bell
State Minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson (3rd right), outlines features of the Cyber Security Awareness campaign to be launched this month, during a recent JIS Think Tank. The campaign dubbed ‘Stop. Think. Connect’ involves partnership with the Jamaica Bankers Association (JBA). Others (from left) are: Technical Advisor to the Ministry, Dr. Moniphia Hewling; JBA Executive, Stacy-Ann Escoe; JBA cyber security task force representative, Lloyd Parchment; Executive Director, JBA, Richard Murray; and Scotiabank representative, Derrick Cochran. Occasion was a JIS Think Tank held today (Jan. 12), at the agency’s head office in Kingston.The Facts
- With an increase in technical expertise, implementation of critical legislation, training of personnel, and public education, the Government is on its way to creating a safer and more secure online space for Jamaicans.
- Under the legal aspect, the Cybercrimes Act has been passed, with the strengthening of sanctions for existing offences and new provisions introduced.
The Full Story
The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) is on track with the implementation of the critical components of the National Cybersecurity Strategy that was launched in January 2015.
With an increase in technical expertise, implementation of critical legislation, training of personnel, and public education, the Government is on its way to creating a safer and more secure online space for Jamaicans.
“If we look back at where we started last year when we launched this (strategy), we have taken significant steps in each of the four critical components,” said State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson, at a recent JIS Think Tank.
These four components are: legal and regulatory, capacity building, technical, and public awareness.
Under the legal aspect, the Cybercrimes Act has been passed, with the strengthening of sanctions for existing offences and new provisions introduced.
In terms of capacity building, the State Minister informed that a number of critical personnel have been trained in cybersecurity, including members of the security forces.
He noted that the technical measures implemented have allowed for the establishment of a Computer Incidence Response Team (CIRT) to coordinate cyber-related incident response, timely recovery from incidents, and rapid distribution of advisories and alerts within the Government.
The public awareness strategy has seen the designation of October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
The Ministry is gearing up to launch of the Stop.Think.Connect. campaign later this month.