Bahamas News
The Bahamas Strengthens Cybersecurity with National Cybersecurity Strategy Launch and Multi-day Workshop
NASSAU, The Bahamas – The country took a significant leap forward in safeguarding its digital infrastructure with the official launch of the National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS) for The Bahamas. The Cabinet-approved strategy outlines the plan for The Bahamas to fortify its cybersecurity framework amid the rising global threat of cyber attacks.
The launch of the NCS marked the beginning of the National Cybersecurity Strategy Workshop that took place from 3 to 6 December 2024, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas.
The workshop acted as the second phase of the NCS lifecycle, bringing together local stakeholders and international partners with the support of the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Department of State. The partners included representatives from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research and Engineering (MITRE), along with government agencies, critical infrastructure providers, and private sector leaders, to collaborate on prioritising strategic objectives and developing an actionable implementation roadmap for the NCS.
Chargé d’Affairs Kimberly Furnish highlighted the United States’ commitment to international collaboration in the fight against cybercrime, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and shared responsibilities. She stated, “The United States has long supported a collaborative approach to combating cybercrime. That is why we’re pleased to galvanize support from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research and Engineering (MITRE) to support such important efforts led by the CIRT-BS.”
She also affirmed The United States’ endorsement of digital solidarity, sharing, “Digital solidarity is when we stand together to combat bad actors in cyberspace. We are all vulnerable to bad actors, especially government-funded bad actors, who carry out these acts for either financial gain or to undermine world peace and security. We will continue to support Bahamian efforts to fight these bad actors, which includes the implementation of The Bahamas National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS)”.
Strengthening Digital Defences with the National Cybersecurity Strategy
CIRT-BS’ National Cybersecurity Strategy provides a comprehensive framework to address the growing cybersecurity challenges the country faces in an interconnected world.
At the core of the strategy are five key pillars:
- Strengthening Governance Frameworks: Establishing clear roles and responsibilities for cybersecurity management;
- Enhancing Incident Response: Improving the nation’s ability to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber incidents;
- Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Securing essential services such as banking, healthcare, and utilities from potential cyberattacks;
- Raising Public Awareness: Educating businesses and individuals on best practices to safeguard their information; and,
- Improving Law Enforcement: Strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement to combat cybercrime effectively.
This strategy positions The Bahamas as a regional leader in cybersecurity, ensuring citizens, businesses, and the government can operate safely in an increasingly digital world.
CIRT-BS Director Sametria McKinney, CISSP, emphasised the importance of the NCS in advancing the security posture of The Bahamas, stating, “This strategy empowers us to tackle both immediate and long-term cybersecurity challenges, outlining critical objectives to enhance our national resilience and safeguard the digital future of our nation. Its success depends on the collective commitment of both the public and private sectors, uniting efforts to strengthen defenses, protect vital infrastructure, and secure a resilient digital economy for generations to come.”
CIRT-BS at the Helm of National Cybersecurity Efforts
Since its launch in December 2023, the National Computer Incident Response Team of The Bahamas (CIRT-BS) has served as the national frontline authority responsible for driving the implementation of the NCS, the focal point for coordinating incident response efforts and providing real-time monitoring of cyber risks. The organisation offers various services including, awareness training, incident management support, event monitoring, and vulnerability assessments.
Because of these efforts, The Bahamas is the first English-speaking Caribbean country to secure membership in the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), reflecting its growing reputation as a regional cybersecurity leader. It also has affiliation with several
other premier international cybersecurity organisations, including CSIRT Americas of the Organization of American States and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the United States, a key collaborator in the National Cybersecurity Strategy Workshop.
A Look Ahead
As it continues to develop the cybersecurity capacity within The Bahamas, CIRT-BS will continue its relationship-building efforts among its constituency, engaging them in various public and private conferences, workshops, and meetings throughout the first quarter of 2025. Organisations interested in engaging CIRT-BS may do so by submitting a request for meeting at https://www.cirt.bs/request/. These meetings will allow CIRT-BS to better understand the needs of its constituency and establish communication channels for information sharing and incident reporting.
CIRT-BS is a component of the $30 million Digital Transformation to Strengthen Competitiveness project, financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in 2019. This project falls under the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Digital Transformation Unit. For additional information on CIRT-BS or to report an incident, please visit www.cirt.bs. Connect with CIRT-BS on social media using the handle, cirt_bs.
PHOTO CAPTION
Header: From left to right: Ana Monterroso, Economic Infrastructure Officer at the U.S. Embassy, Nassau; Chuck Bennett, Economic and Commercial Counselor at the U.S. Embassy, Nassau; Sametria McKinney, CISSP, Director of the National Computer Incident Response Team of The Bahamas (CIRT-BS); Kimberly Furnish, Chargé d’Affairs at the U.S. Embassy, Nassau; Patrick Davis, National Coordinator for Information Technology/Program Manager (NCIT) for the Ministry of Economic Affairs; and Sadiria Hall, Economic Specialist at the U.S. Embassy, Nassau.
1st insert: From left to right: Adrian Garcia Gonzalez, Mitre; Madison Harnett, CISA; Sandiria Hall, U.S. Embassy; Sametria McKinney, CIRT-BS, Zaynub Jarbu, DOS; Terence Check, CISA, Donnalee Beach, CISA; Suhayla Sibaai, CISA.
2nd insert: Kimberly Furnish, Chargé d’Affairs at the U.S. Embassy, Nassau, The Bahamas, on stage speaking at the National Cybersecurity Strategy Workshop.
3rd insert: From left to right: Sametria McKinney, CISSP, Director of the National Computer Incident Response Team of The Bahamas (CIRT-BS) and Kimberly Furnish, Chargé d’Affairs at the U.S. Embassy, Nassau, pictured together at the National Cybersecurity Strategy Workshop held from 3 to 6 December 2024, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
