BASED ON WHAT WE SEE as auditors, it is clear that the main cyberchallenges facing the region is a significant lack of regional cyber/information technology security awareness, and adherence to international best practices and standards.
To make matters worse, the region is also still lagging behind in the passing of a comprehensive set of cybersecurity laws and legislation, which in many ways is needed to force the hands of many public and private sector leaders to get their cybersecurity houses in order.
Additionally, it is important that the region begin to play an active role in participating in international fora related to industry best practices and standards with key industries like tourism in mind and regional capacity building.
It is a cyber/information technology security fact that there is no such thing as a perfectly secure system, as even firewalls can be compromised with the right time, effort, tools, motivation and skills. Likewise, since there is no such thing as a perfectly secure system, by extension there is no such thing as a perfectly secure data.
It is also important to note that even hackers and cybercriminals have data privacy concerns. However, judging from the fact that less than two per cent of them are ever caught or prosecuted for cybercrimes, they clearly are much better at it than the rest of us.
So to protect your data, I am not suggesting some form of internet technology retreat or fear of an internet planet. What I am suggesting with regard to data processed by businesses, organisations or governments that are out of your control, you are well within your rights to demand that investments in “protecting it” are made in a proactive and sustainable manner.
Likewise, from the individual data protection perspective, I suggest more responsible use of the internet (at home, work or play), and that you treat your personal data like you treat your purse or wallet: don’t let people you don’t know have it; always know where it is; only share it with trusted sources; and if it gets a hole in it repair it (system upgrade) or get a new one.
James Bynoe is chief executive officer of Caribbean Cyber Security Centre. He is an international cyber/information technology security expert.
