Gov’t Fortifying Jamaica’s Cybersecurity Resilience

The Government is enhancing Jamaica’s cybersecurity resilience through a comprehensive strategy that strengthens prevention, detection, and response capabilities against threats.

Addressing the opening of Guardsman Group of Companies’ Cyber Intelligence Security Operations Centre (SOC) at 14-16 Balmoral Avenue in Kingston on Wednesday (May 14), Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the Government has made cybersecurity a key initiative in efforts to promote digitalisation and build out digital public infrastructure.

To this end, he said the Government is reviewing and strengthening legislation, including the Cybercrimes Act and the Data Protection Act, to create a legal environment that protects the public and promotes responsible digital innovation.

Additionally, Dr. Holness said investments are being made to train cybersecurity professionals, “because we recognise that technology without talent is ineffective”.

“We understand that digital resilience is national resilience. We are, therefore, very happy to see the opening of the Guardsman Cyber Intelligence Security Operations Centre; it will complement and strengthen the Government’s own framework. Through our National Cybersecurity Strategy and the national Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT), we are building national capacity to prevent, detect and respond to cyberthreats,” he said.

Dr. Holness emphasised that the Centre’s opening signals a transformative shift in the security landscape, strengthening Jamaica’s and the wider region’s resilience against cyberthreats.

“It is a nerve centre that allows for 24/7 monitoring of systems and networks, real-time detection of malicious activity, rapid response to incidents and proactive threat intelligence gathering from across the globe.

“This is about defending ourselves from known risks and also anticipating and neutralising unknown ones. As society becomes more digitalised, we must also develop the culture of digital vigilance where protection is not only reactive, but also strategic,” he stated.

Consequently, Dr. Holness welcomed Guardsman’s focus on cybersecurity awareness training for employees and executives, pointing out that the organisation’s “commitment to education, awareness and workforce development in this field is not only commendable, it’s essential”.

The Prime Minister also highlighted how digital transformation is reshaping every sector, bringing both unparalleled opportunities and significant risks that must be carefully navigated.

“Cyberthreats are growing in scale, frequency and sophistication, targeting everything, from critical infrastructure to privacy. No country is immune, and no sector is untouched. Latin America and the Caribbean has seen the fastest regional growth in reported cyberincidents; about 25 per cent annually since 2013. More than 200 billion attacks or attempts across the region in 2023,” he indicated.

Dr. Holness said Jamaica, like many other countries, has witnessed a rising tide of cyberincidents.

“We recorded 43 million attempted attacks in 2023. We have seen ransomware attacks on businesses, phishing schemes targeting citizens as well as attempted breaches of Government systems,” he informed.

Against this background, Dr. Holness said Guardsman’s Cyber Intelligence Security Operations Centre positions Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, not just as participants in the global digital economy but as front runners in digital security.

“What is particularly impressive is that the SOC is not a replica of a foreign model; it is regionally grounded. Guardsman Cyber Intelligence understands the unique technological, cultural and regulatory conditions of the Caribbean, and it has built a system tailored for those realities,” he stated.

“That localisation, paired with global best practices and enterprise grade tools, makes this facility both exceptional and indispensable. The SOC’s capabilities in penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, data protection compliance, forensic analysis and dark web monitoring are world-class,” the Prime Minister added.

Dr. Holness encouraged other private-sector stakeholders to contribute to the continued development of Jamaica’s robust cybersecurity framework, emphasising that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will play a key role in Guardsman’s cybersecurity operations.

Guardsman Group’s Executive Chairman, Kenneth Benjamin, said the Centre is the first facility of its kind in Jamaica, “and probably the first in the Caribbean”.

“This milestone reflects our commitment to innovative security solutions. As we evolve to address the growing threats of cyberattacks, this SOC will provide real-time monitoring and rapid response to safeguard Jamaica’s digital landscape. We believe in strong partnerships between private sector and the State [security] forces for a safer Jamaica, and we will remain dedicated to anticipating change and embracing innovations,” he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Executive Chairman, Nick Benjamin, announced that the company will roll out a series of islandwide initiatives, including drone surveillance, drug-detecting dogs at airports, artificial intelligence integration, and advanced camera overlays.

“This Centre… is a symbol of our commitment to keeping Jamaica safe and secure, not just on the ground but in cyberspace as well,” he said.