GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—The Guyana-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have launched a Cyber Resilience Strategy 2030 Project to enhance cybersecurity capacity across the 15-member regional grouping.
“This cyber-resilience strategy is crucial for the security and stability of CARICOM Small Island Developing States (SIDS) due to their vulnerability to cyber threats and natural disasters,” said Joseph Cox, CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General in Economic Integration, Innovation and Development.
He said SIDS often have limited resources and capabilities to combat cyberattacks, making them more susceptible to disruptions in critical infrastructure, such as water and electricity, financial systems, and essential services.
“This strategy will serve, therefore, to bolster the region’s legal, regulatory, and trust frameworks and enhance international Relations,” Cox added.
United States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole D. Theriot said that by investing in cyber resilience, CARICOM could mitigate the adverse effects of cyber threats, bolster its capacity to respond to cyber incidents effectively, and foster greater trust in its digital ecosystem.
“Together, our organizations aim to prioritize investment, innovation, and cooperation to build resilient cyber defenses and safeguard the digital future of the Caribbean region,” the diplomat added.
The CARICOM Secretariat said that against a backdrop of rising cyber threats globally, the CARICOM’s Council for Trade and Economic Development, in 2019, unanimously approved the development of the Cyber Resilience Strategy 2030 Project.
The project seeks to galvanize Caribbean-wide collaboration on cybersecurity efforts and empower stakeholders to protect themselves digitally.
The strategy aims to empower CARICOM states by strengthening resilience at the individual and collective levels. This dual approach will enable each state to reinforce cyber defenses, befitting its unique landscape while benefiting from pooled regional knowledge and resources to drive back exterior attacks.
“This multi-level approach will ultimately enhance agility, information sharing, and strategic partnerships in the face of digital threats. It is a critical initiative that marks a significant milestone in implementing cybersecurity safeguards, a key pillar of the CARICOM Single ICT Space,” the Secretariat added.
It said expert advisors from Cambridge Global Advisors (CGA) will develop a strategy, engaged through USAID’s Promoting American Approaches to ICT Policy and Regulation (ProICT) activity, funded by the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP).
The Cyber Resilience Strategy 2030 Project Steering Committee, chaired by the CARICOM Secretariat, will direct project implementation and build on existing regional efforts to improve cybersecurity.
The Committee comprises technical and governmental personnel from CARICOM Member States and Associate Members, officials from the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), and an independent expert.
The Secretariat said that in the upcoming months, CGA will interview cybersecurity practitioners across the region’s public, private, non-profit, and academic sectors. These consultations will inform a series of reports analyzing CARICOM member states’ legal and regulatory frameworks, the cybersecurity market, and regional cybersecurity workforce capacity and development needs.
”Using a phased approach, CGA will conduct extensive research and assessments to identify regional cyber vulnerabilities. The findings will shape a comprehensive cyber resilience strategy for CARICOM, providing an essential framework for increasing information sharing, reporting, collaboration, and safeguarding assets to create a united front against cyberattacks.
“The resulting landmark strategy will lay the foundation for collaboration on cybersecurity through concrete recommendations and implementation guidance. It will address legislative gaps, assess infrastructure, and proactively bolster regional cyber resilience. These actions will empower CARICOM to adapt to evolving threats and promote the development of a robust cyber workforce to prevent and respond to digital attacks,” the Secretariat added.
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