Caribbean countries are at risk of cyber terrorism attacks and cybercrimes as the developing world boosts its information and communication technology (ICT) solutions, according to Phillip Paulwell, president of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU).
He added, however, that developing countries on a global Internet grid can benefit from cheaper and more reliable communications solutions, as well as enhanced foreign direct investments, so regional leaders must put strategies in places to combat threats resulting from this growing revolution.
Speaking at virtual inauguration ceremony of the CTU's new headquarters in Port-of-Spain, Paulwell, who is also Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining in Jamaica, said: "Already we are witnessing the rising tide of cyber terrorism and cybercrimes. The use of modern telecommunication networks such as Internet–chat rooms, e-mails, notice boards and groups–and mobile phones have exacerbated the situation.
"Cybercrimes are now threatening the security and financial health of countries rich and poor; copyright infringement, child pornography, and child grooming, as well as, problems of privacy are now growing concerns."
Paulwell added: "Cybercrimes, including espionage, financial theft, and other cross-border crimes are on the uptick. A report, sponsored by McAfee, estimates the annual damage to the global economy at US$445 billion. Approximately US$1.5 billion was lost in 2012 to online credit and debit card fraud in the US alone. Individually and collectively, we continue to devise strategies to combat these threats. And our efforts thus far signal our resolve to overcome these challenges and to be proactive going forward."
He said as a regional organisation the CTU has laid a solid foundation on which to advance into the future–a future to be characterised by dynamism, innovation and change, virtually at the speed of thought.
"Together we are faced with the objective reality that to ignore the benefits from advances in science and technology will condemn our region and its people to persistent poverty and underdevelopment. The good news is that, today and going forward, we are developing strategies to harness the explosion in new knowledge," he said.
The minister added: "Our organisation has demonstrated the resilience to ride the wave of change and adapt to its challenges and opportunities. We have witnessed dramatic increase in the processing power available at a given price; the virtual doubling of storage capacity per unit area every year; the increase in volume of data that travels across a fibre optic cable, virtually doubling every nine months...and in general, the impact of this technological progress has been profound.
"The ripple effects from the Internet are at an embryonic stage of development. Already the fastest growing communications medium in history, the Internet has triggered the technological convergence between telephone, television and the computer."
Today, said the CTU head, the Internet and other ICTs embody many of the elements of the new and future communications market-place, with the onset of freeware, the separation of networks and provision of services, the availability of affordable mass access, and the provision of scalable broadband communications.
