To strengthen digital security in the region, the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP), implemented by the OECS Commission and funded by the World Bank, has launched a national computer incident response team (CIRT) for participating Member States. ) hosted a consultation workshop to establish the This workshop was a hybrid activity hosted by Saint Lucia from April 15th to 17th.
Since its launch in 2021, CARDTP has developed its activities based on two main pillars.
1. The digital ecosystem is about:
– Communication competition, affordability, service quality
– An enabling environment for digital financial services
– Cybersecurity, data protection and privacy
2. Implementation of digital skills and technology considering:
– Developing advanced digital skills
CIRTs are typically responsible for providing security against threats to government and public sector information and communications technology (ICT) systems through mitigation and identification.
Caribbean countries have relatively low cybersecurity efforts, with few countries having CIRTs and not being members of the OECS. This increases security risks to citizens and their human rights in cyberspace and hinders economic development and the ability to take full advantage of the benefits of the digital economy. These challenges are primarily due to the region's financial, legal, technical, or skilled human resources constraints.
OECS Secretary-General Dr. Didakas Juul said at the workshop's opening ceremony:
“This consultation concerns what is considered to be a highly technical subject in the public domain, but also of importance to all citizens and OECS institutions who use computers in all aspects of their lives. be.”
Referring to recent cybersecurity threats faced by some OECS member countries, Dr. Jules said:
“It's about protecting the privacy, integrity and security of every aspect of our digital lives. In today's technological age, especially for our youth, it's easier to live virtually than physically. It’s a life full of things.”
Having a CIRT in each country is critical to protecting national assets and helps foster a national culture of cybersecurity, including building awareness and resilience.
The CIRT workshop was designed to address the “Cybersecurity” CARDTP component under the technical leadership of the Caribbean Regional Crime and Security Enforcement Agency (IMPACS). For this workshop, the OECS Committee collaborated with NRD Cybersecurity of the Republic of Lithuania to develop his CIRT establishment plan for Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
This plan reflects the common needs, requirements and objectives of the beneficiary countries, details the services that the national CIRT should provide, and outlines the CIRT's governance and organizational structure, membership and required resources. Masu. It includes a step-by-step roadmap for establishing a national CIRT.
By the end of the workshop, Member States were also able to assess their readiness for establishing national CIRTs and discussed existing needs, gaps and possible solutions. The CARDTP team will continue to work with NRD Cybersecurity to support member states as they work toward establishing national CIRTs.
