Director Describes CIRT’S Evolution as Inspiring

When the Director of Jamaica’s Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) Division, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Godphey Sterling, reflects on the entity’s evolution, he describes its journey as both solemn and inspiring.

Born out of crisis, the Division, which falls under the Office of the Prime Minister, now stands as a testament to resilience, nation-building, and the country’s determination to secure its digital space.

The story began in 2013, when Jamaica experienced a cyberattack that exposed its unpreparedness. At the time, there was no structured mechanism to respond. This spurred the development of a national cyber security strategy, paving the way for the creation of the CIRT in 2015.

“To come from that point in 2013 to where we are now in 2025 … is one that we view with solemnity. It is an acceptance of a grave reality and responsibility that it’s not about a job, it’s not about an incident, it’s about nation building,” Lt. Col. Sterling tells JIS News in an interview.

“Irrespective of what happens today, Jamaica can provide at least an initial response on our own, with our own resources. It is a recognition and a sort of reality check that notwithstanding the level of resourcing, we have persons who believe in nation building and who appreciate that there are some things that a country must be able to do for itself as a part of its self-determination. The CIRT being here is a testament to this,” he continues.

The Director joined the CIRT in 2020 and recalls that the early days were modest with a team consisting of just two members. Since its incorporation, staffing has fluctuated, but this has significantly improved.

The CIRT is now powered by a young, dynamic workforce, with an average age of 22 and a female-to-male ratio of 4:1. The team embodies fresh perspectives paired with Lt. Col. Sterling’s seasoned leadership.

“Their approach to problem-solving is totally different from mine,” the Director admits.

He says the combination of youthful innovation and veteran caution, creates a balance that strengthens national cyber defence.

Under his leadership, the CIRT has evolved from merely response capabilities to a structured approach that focuses on addressing cyber security incidents, from identification and containment to eradication and recovery.

“The pandemic (COVID-19) would have also forced a number of changes, because we recognised that no longer was incident response enough for the division and so we had to start looking at how do we proactively manage and monitor cyberspace with respect to Jamaica,” the Director explains.

He tells JIS News that cyber security is not only technical but relational, requiring sustained partnerships with both public and private entities.

Today, the CIRT maintains 24/7 monitoring of Jamaica’s cyberspace, ensuring that threats are detected and addressed at any hour.

The division’s progress is not just anecdotal. International benchmarks confirm Jamaica’s advancement. The country now holds a solid position in tier three of the Global Cyber Security Index, recognised as an emerging cyber security setup. In Estonia’s National Cyber Security Index, Jamaica has climbed 20 places in just four years.

The Director explains that these results make the country a reference point for other English-speaking Caribbean nations, with Jamaica’s methods studied as regional case models.