UTT launches Caribbean Cybersecurity Institute

National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said he is comforted to know that while his ministry is working on other elements of security, the issue of cybersecurity is being addressed by those with those the expertise.

Hinds was speaking at the launch of the Caribbean Cybersecurity Institute (CCI), at the University of TT (UTT) on Friday.

With cyber threats becoming more prominent as technology evolves and businesses incorporate it into their operations, the aim of the institute is to provide professionals with the relevant technical, managerial and regulatory knowledge and skills to deal with these threats.

“Every ministry was mandated to identify a particular project in terms of digital transformation and advancements,” Hinds said.

Earlier this month, the Legal Affairs Ministry and the Office of the Attorney General experienced a cyber attack that left some services inaccessible.

UTT chairman Professor Clement Imbert said the establishment of the institute will holistically promote cybersecurity by building capacity of high-quality, innovative, interdisciplinary programmes and research and development; providing education, training and consulting for the public and private sector; promoting data security and privacy best practices; creating and sustaining the high-paying jobs in cybersecurity; increasing the protection for digital assets and digital transformation processes; and fostering regional and international co-operation for cyberspace development.

UTT currently offers a master’s degree in Cybersecurity. He said over the next five years, the CCI will implement a number of components that will aid in the achievement of the goals. President of Amcham Stuart Franco, country head for the Inter-American Development Bank in TT Carina Cockburn, and president of UTT Prakash Persad were among those attending the launch.