Public invited to take part in cybersecurity fora
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Members of the public are being urged to participate in the virtual fora for Cybersecurity Awareness Month, particularly in light of the global shift towards remote learning and working from home.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is being observed this month, October 2020.
The forums are being hosted by the Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (Ja-CIRT) under the international theme: “Play your part, be Cybersmart’.
“This year, we have modified how we will commemorate the month due to the (COVID-19) pandemic. We will be hosting four virtual forums from October 8-26. The webinars will bring together public and private sector partners for a weekly series, focused on highlighting cyber risks and threats that may affect users and organisations and provide tips and measures which can be taken to stay safe online,” head of Ja-CIRT in the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, Lieutenant Colonel Godphey Sterling said.
Lt Col Sterling was speaking at a Jamaica Information Service ‘Think Tank’, held at the agency’s Kingston office, today, October 8.
“Each event will start at 10:00 am and last for an hour. [Today], we discussed data protection. The following week, on the 15th, we will discuss securing devices at home, and on October 22 and 28, we will explore securing devices at work and the future of connected devices, respectively,” he shared.
Registration for the events can be done at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/M5YW8V5.
Meanwhile, Lt Col Sterling is encouraging individuals to familiarise themselves with the Cybersecurity Act.
“As the government entity responsible for making Jamaica a safer place online, we would be feeling our way through the dark without some level of knowledge and understanding among citizens about cybersecurity. Therefore, we acknowledge Cybersecurity Month annually to garner that level of awareness. We want to engage citizens and ensure that they are aware of the threats, pitfalls and best ways of using cyberspace,” he said.
This year marks the fifth consecutive year Ja-CIRT has observed Cybersecurity Awareness Month. It is being done in partnership with American Chamber of Commerce, the British High Commission, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, tTech Limited and other stakeholders.