Curacao Chronicles published an article on June 8, 2017, titled “Cyber Security: “Awareness – Priority #1”. Here’s a quick summary just for you.
Although the penetration of Internet connectivity in the Caribbean region has undeniably paved the way for greater access to the information gateways and the advantages of competing on the global stage, this exposure comes with great responsibility and risks.
Key points:
- Believing that the Caribbean is immune to the impact of cyber threats and cybercrime should be quickly disintegrated from our minds.
- Looking back as far as the last quarter of 2012 and the first quarter of 2013, we’ve seen a rapid increase in reported attacks in the Caribbean, and they’re starting to get a little closer to our pockets.
- Did we know that a data breach could cost a business upwards of US$ 50,000 in losses from a cyber-attack resulting in 2 days of downtime?
- We all know, of course, that the economies of the islands are heavily dependent on tourism and, by extension, the failure to do business would have severe consequences for our financial services industries and our weak economies.
- Do we know that scammers and paedophiles are using social media platforms to manipulate and exploit our children?
- As business owners, do we know that insurance companies and auditors will soon require evidence that you have done everything you necessary to protect your company’s data assets to address cyber-related claims?
- The preservation of Caribbean Information and Communication Systems is one of the most critical public safety, economic and national security issues our region faces today.
- In response to the challenges experienced, the Caribbean Cyber Security Center was established to increase awareness of the threats and to help make the right investments in people, policies, processes and technology to defend our region and its people from cybercrime.
Reference: curacaochronicle.com
Contributed by: Sabrina Shim from Jamaica. Sabrina is a member of the WISC Discord group from the G5 Cyber Security Foundation Ltd. Learn more about WISC (Women in InfoSec Caribbean) at wiscaribbean.org. WISC is a non-profit initiative supporting Caribbean women and girls to develop a career in Information Security.