As the world continues to advance its digital platform, the need for cybersecurity continues to be at the forefront of the agenda for governments worldwide. The Bahamas is no exception. To ensure that citizens can safeguard their identities and financial assets, countries must continue to innovate and protect themselves against cyber threats.
One of those ongoing measures includes innovations in the digital arena. In this regard, the 3rd Annual CIRT-BS Cybersecurity Conference and ITU Regional CyberDrill is being held at the British Colonial, January 15-17. The conference has the theme, “Building Shared Cyber Resilience.”
The Inter-American Development Bank and the United States Embassy in The Bahamas have partnered with the Bahamas Government to facilitate the conference.
During an opening ceremony held on Wednesday, Minister of Economic Affairs (with responsibility for ICT and Digital Innovation), Senator, the Hon. Michael Halkitis said it was a privilege to collaborate with other stakeholders for this conference.
“This year, we are privileged to partner with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), whose collaboration since the establishment of the National CIRT has been instrumental to the progress we celebrate today,” said Minister Halkitis. “ITU’s ongoing support underscores the value of our strong, enduring partnership in advancing our shared goals.” Mr. Halkitis also thanked the IDB and the US Embassy for partnering with The Bahamas on this digital transformation journey since its inception.
He said that the presence of international and regional attendees, speakers, and partners speaks to the importance of the theme for the conference, particularly in an era when cyber threats have become a persistent challenge
with far-reaching implications.
“Your participation strengthens our collective resolve to secure a resilient digital future,” he said. “Cybersecurity is a priority for The Bahamas, both for this administration and for the Ministry of Economic Affairs. It is a cornerstone of our ‘Digital Transformation to Strengthen Competitiveness’ project, which aims to modernize our nation’s infrastructure and enhance our global competitiveness.”
He said that the formal launch of the National Computer Incident Response Team, CIRT-BS, on December 14, 2023, and the subsequent commencement of its services in January 2024, were ‘pivotal’ milestones.
“These achievements marked a new chapter in our national cybersecurity journey. Most recently, on December 4, 2024, we proudly unveiled our National Cybersecurity Strategy, further demonstrating our unwavering
commitment to safeguarding our digital future.”
These milestones, he noted, underscored the government’s commitment to fortifying the country’s digital resilience and ensuring that systems and networks remain secure.
“Cyber resilience, as the theme suggests, is not merely a national ambition but a shared responsibility” said Mr. Halkitis. “It requires collaboration across borders and sectors, which is why the presence of such a diverse group of
stakeholders here today is so encouraging.”
He stated that the July 2024 international incident, involving a flawed software update, is a reminder of the critical importance of cybersecurity.
The July 2024 incident, which disrupted airlines, hospitals, and financial institutions worldwide, serves as a stark example of the interconnectedness of our systems and the devastating impact of cyber vulnerabilities, he said.
“This event, which affected over 8.5 million devices and caused billions of dollars in losses, highlighted the necessity for countries and organizations to work together to build resilience.”
He expressed that events such as the conference and cyber drill exemplified the power of collaboration.
“The agenda is rich and varied, covering topics such as incident response, threat intelligence, digital forensics, and the role of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity. The CyberDrill will provide an invaluable opportunity to test
our response strategies through realistic scenarios. Together, we will explore innovative approaches to strengthening both national and international defences against cyber threats.”
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