Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says cybersecurity is a collective responsibility, and everyone must work together to protect the digital infrastructure and promote a safe online environment.
He made the comments while delivering the feature address at the launch of the Overwatch Cyber Fusion Centre, which is a security operations centre.
Overwatch is a collaboration between Precision Cybertechnologies and Digital Solutions and the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Lab. The launch took place at the Brix hotel yesterday.
“This is the first security operations centre (SOC) in our region and marks a pivotal milestone in our country’s, and the region’s, cybersecurity infrastructure,” Rowley explained.
The PM also noted that cyberattacks have become increasingly sophisticated and pervasive, posing significant risks to economies, privacy, and national security.
In this vein, he said Government has made two significant interventions: establishing a Ministry of Digital Transformation and introducing the Cybersecurity Investment Tax Allowance (CITA) to incentivise companies to invest in cybersecurity software and hardware that would aid in prevention, detection, response and recovery.
Further, Rowley announced that iGovTT, the implementation partner of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, has completed a series of consultations with representative groups across T&T and will shortly launch its newest app which is designed to facilitate the applications process.
Speaking on Overwatch’s services, Rowley said they are designed to be accessible and affordable, especially for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
“This inclusivity will create the environment for even the smallest businesses in our region to protect themselves against cyber threats, and so foster a secure and resilient digital economy.
“As we celebrate the launch of Overwatch, we are also celebrating a vision of a safer, more secure future; a future where our businesses can thrive without the constant fear of cyberattacks, where our citizens can enjoy the benefits of digital innovation without compromising their privacy, and where our governments can operate with the confidence that our critical infrastructure is protected and secure,” he added.
Additionally, Rowley said Precision Cybertechnologies has partnered with the University of T&T (UTT) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) to enhance cybersecurity training and education.
Richard Smith, chairman of Precision Cybertechnologies and Digital Solutions Ltd, who also spoke noted tht cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging AI to develop more sophisticated and elusive attacks, such as AI-powered malware that can adapt and evade traditional security measures, and automated phishing schemes that can convincingly mimic legitimate communications.
—GEISHA KOWLESSAR-ALONZO
