MOST OF BARBADOS’ laws do not take into account the computer age in which the island operates, says a cybersecurity expert.
Chief technical officer of the Caribbean Cyber Security Centre, Deon Olton, said his company wanted to push the legal fraternity and Government to recognise the weaknesses in many laws because they failed to take into account technological developments over the years.
Citing the 2005 Computer Misuse Act as inadequate, Olton said that if someone logged onto a network and copied that database, it was unclear what charges could be laid against that person.
“What are you going to charge them with – stealing? They have not stolen anything because the individual still has it. Theft in the traditional sense means that you have taken something from him and have it in your possession. So it is a fine line that you have to navigate,” Olton said. Â
He added that if an electronic or computer-based crime was committed against a Barbadian but originated outside of the jurisdiction, it was unclear how the incident would be handled.
