THE Organisation of American States (OAS) has launched a course in Jamaica on cyber incident investigation and analysis, aimed at teaching cyber-crime investigators and incident response teams basic and intermediate techniques in cyber investigation.

The three-day course, organised by its Cyber Security Programme of the OAS, also seeks to provide not only a theoretical understanding of cyber crime incident investigation but also practical training “that will equip investigators with techniques of evidence gathering and maintenance and analysis incidents.”

The OAS Secretary for Multidimensional Security Adam Blackwell said the Cyber Security Programme has been actively promoting initiatives to strengthen the technical response capability of OAS member-states to cyber security incidents.

“We are pleased to be able to provide support to the Government of Jamaica for the improvement of their investigation capacities,” he said. “Cyber security is a daunting task, requiring strong knowledge of investigation techniques.

“Criminals of all types, including those involved in organised crime, are increasingly turning to the Internet for communication, money laundering, and a host of other operational needs,” he added.

“As they continue to take advantage of the Internet, thus increases our need to have technicians and law enforcement officers skilled in the forensic examination of computer and networked systems,” Blackwell continued. “Jamaica has been a great partner to the OAS, tackling this challenge with great determination.”

Jamaica’s Senior Superintendent of Police Clifford Chambers noted the growing threat posed by cyber crimes, and warned that “the cyber threat landscape is rapidly evolving with expanding vulnerabilities in computer hardware/software, android devices, smart phones, routers, firewalls, security policies and other threats.

“I am confident that this course will better empower the participants to advance their investigative posture and allow them to produce superior output to negate some of the threats posed by cyber criminals.”

OAS Representative to Jamaica, Jeanelle van GlaanenWeygel, who participated in the event’s opening ceremony on Monday, said “the OAS is pleased to support Jamaica to better equip its investigators with cyber security techniques.

“The availability of skilled human resources in cyber security is a critical step to advance the implementation of Jamaica’s national cyber security strategy,” she said.

van GlaanenWeygel said the course is part of a larger OAS cyber security project being implemented in Jamaica.

British High Commissioner to Jamaica, David Fitton, representing a principal government supporter of the event, said “cyber security is a priority security issue for the United Kingdom.

“We have had a national cyber security strategy in place since 2011. Part of that strategy is to support capacity building in countries like Jamaica,” he said. “We work through the OAS to provide funding for training seminars such as this one. Cyber security ignores national borders. So we are keen to help and share information with close partners such as Jamaica.”

The OAS said the course was a result of the “constant and fruitful dialogue” between it, the Jamaica Ministry of Science and Technology and the Jamaica Constabulary Force “for the development and adoption of a National Cyber Security Strategy in the country”.

— CMC

VAN GLAANENWEYGEL… the OAS is pleased to support Jamaica to better equip its investigators