Jamaicans Encouraged to Join Cyber Reserve Programme

Jamaicans with cybersecurity skills are being encouraged to volunteer their services to the country by joining the Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) Division’s Cyber Reserve Programme.

Director of the Division, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Godphey Sterling, says the initiative is aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s capacity to respond to cyber incidents and other national emergencies.

Additionally, the programme seeks to establish a pool of skilled cybersecurity professionals whom the Division can call upon to provide support on cybersecurity matters before engaging external assistance.

Colonel Sterling told JIS News that the programme provides an opportunity for university students, senior high-school students with relevant skills, and cybersecurity professionals to contribute to national cybersecurity projects and support the Division’s work when needed.

“It is intended to work in such a way that if we have to pull you from your job to support a national crisis, then that will be pushed through the Office of the Permanent Secretary into the Cabinet, so that your employer does not treat your position with any prejudice. So when the crisis would have been remediated, you go back to your job in the same position that you would have joined us to support,” he explained.

Colonel Sterling indicated that volunteers may commit a few hours each week over a specified period or make themselves available on an on-call basis to provide assistance as needed.

The programme also welcomes professionals from key organisations within the cybersecurity ecosystem, including the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and managed security service providers.

“We have to appreciate that to be cyber-ready is not enough. You need to [if hit] be able… to absorb the hit, continue to function, remediate the hit, and get back to full production as quickly as possible. That is what cyber resilience is about,” Colonel Sterling said, underscoring the importance of strengthening the country’s cyber resilience.

Interested persons may contact the Cyber Incident Response Team Division at 876-578-5705 for further information.