Caribbean News
Jamaica Leading Caribbean’s Response to Cybersecurity Threats
#Jamaica, August 27, 2021 – Jamaica is leading the charge to significantly improve the Caribbean’s response in tackling existing and emerging cybersecurity threats through the development of skills in this area.
The country is now undertaking a Strategic Cybersecurity Training Needs Assessment, which will serve to identify the cybersecurity knowledge and skills required to deliver and sustain strategic responses to combat malicious cyber activities across the region.
The initiative, which is a significant action under the revised Draft National Cybersecurity Strategy of Jamaica, will inform the building of cybersecurity scholarship and talent to serve the country and the rest of the Caribbean. The needs assessment was launched during a two-day Virtual Caribbean Cybersecurity Skills Symposium, which kicked off on Wednesday (August 25).
Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Fayval Williams, in welcoming the symposium, said it is a timely initiative amidst an increased digitally driven world and global reliance on information and communications technology (ICT).
“Given the increased incidence of cyberattacks, it has become increasingly clear that governments and institutions must take cyberthreat management seriously. At the same time, this global challenge is compounded by a global cybersecurity skills shortage,” she said.
Mrs. Williams contended that undertaking a training needs analysis is a critical first step in addressing the issue of a cyber-skills shortage that affects the Caribbean. She cited a study done by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC) Cybersecurity Workforce, which estimates that the gap between the 2.8 million cyber professionals currently employed in 11 major world economies and the total number needed in the public and the private sector is around four million.
Ms. Williams stressed that the need for qualified experts within the region to aid in a successful fight against cybercrime “cannot be overemphasised”, especially as cyberthreats continue to grow in sophistication.
“A report published in June this year stated that the cybersecurity skills crisis continues on a downward trend, impacting over half (57 per cent) of large organisations. At the same time, companies are incurring steep costs from data breaches, with an average of $4.24 million per incident. This is a nearly 10 per cent increase over 2020,” she lamented.
As part of the national strategy and initiative to build and maintain cybersecurity capacities and expertise at the national and regional levels, Jamaica launched the Caribbean Institute of Cyber Science in June 2020. It is intended that that Institute, which is part of the Caribbean Military Academy, will provide the necessary cybersecurity training and cyber-skills capacity building to support the efforts of the region in tackling cybercrime.
The Institute’s programmes and courses are currently at the design and development stage, and the results of the needs analysis will help to inform its cybersecurity training and education offerings.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, said the Government is committed to strengthening cybersecurity training and education, “and will continue to lead this process of improving our national and regional cyber resilience and response”.
“Cybercrime is a clear and present danger to every country in the region. This is the new frontier of national and regional security resilience and an area in which the Government of Jamaica is deeply committed,” he said.
British High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, Her Excellency Harriett Cross; Executive Secretary, Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) of the Organization of American States (OAS), Alison August Treppel; Chief of Defence Staff, Jamaica Defence Force, Lieutenant General Rocky Meade; and Secretary General, Caribbean Telecommunications Union, Rodney Taylor, also brought remarks.
The Symposium was hosted by the Government of Jamaica through the Office of the National Security Advisor with the support of Protection Group International and facilitated by the OAS. The undertaking of the Caribbean Training Needs Analysis is being supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Release: JIS
Caribbean News
Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion
Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.
The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.
“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital
policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.
“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”
Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.
Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.
Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”
Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.
Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.
Photo Caption:
TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain
Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.
The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new
administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.
In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.
The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.
Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.
Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.
Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s
leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.
The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.
Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.
Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM
Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.
CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.
Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.
“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.
“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity,
such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”
Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.
“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.
Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.
Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.
Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.
“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.
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