The entrance of Caribbean company CyberEYE into the local market is seeking to add another layer of security and protection in Jamaica’s fight against rising cyber incidents. This was disclosed at the recent launch event.

CyberEYE, which first started regional operations in Trinidad last year, helps organisations to build resilient cybersecurity strategies and to create a safer digital future. Through cross-border satellite and cyber defence monitoring systems and scanning tools, the global company also services other territories in Europe, the Middle East, and some parts of Asia.

The firm, which offers solutions in national security, defence and commercial cyber intelligence operations, uses technology to manage risk, detect and respond to threats as it protects clients and their systems and sensitive information from digital attacks.

The entity, in aiming to reduce billions in cyber costs annually, said it wants to deepen partnerships with local stakeholders to make cybersecurity more affordable and accessible to small, medium and large businesses across all industries.

Speaking at the launch of operations and a cybersecurity summit held at the AC Hotel on Tuesday, regional CEO of CyberEYE Ian John said that his company’s mission is to be the trusted and preferred cybersecurity partner in the Caribbean region, working to repel some of the most sophisticated and devastating cyberattacks at a fraction of the cost.

Sharing the rationale for establishing a presence in Jamaica, he said this was largely driven by a collective desire among technology experts in the region to stave off catastrophic fallouts in the business environment which can incur billions in costs and irreparable damage to brands. Bemoaning low investments in the local environment, he said the country has also become exposed to significant risk as cyber-attacks increase in the region.

“We view Jamaica as one of the leading countries in the Caribbean with good talent, strong businesses, so it just made sense for us to have partnerships there along with Trinidad, and even Barbados, to provide support for smaller countries that may not have the skill sets and the wherewithal,” he said during an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Thursday.

He noted that even as Jamaica and Trinidad will primarily operate as hubs, the company, through response teams located in smaller jurisdictions such as Grenada, St Vincent, St Kitts and Guyana which will, through these first responders, also be able to offer quick response to clients in those markets in times of attack.

“These responders will also be supported by the team in either Trinidad or Jamaica and the United Kingdom which will provide guidance and quick remediation,” he said.

The regional CEO, in describing the company’s entry to Jamaica as a substantial investment said he expects some good returns from the move. The company, he said, in looking to partner rather than compete with other players in the market, wants to, through the sharing of its resources, further enhance and augment Jamaica’s security posture as it build-out skill sets, provide greater employment opportunities and advance awareness levels among different groups in the region, particularly children and the elderly.

“It’s a huge investment that we have already put in and there is a two-year plan for the full roll-out of that investment, in terms of bringing the tools, building awareness, working with customers, providing training and also creating employment as we develop a new cadre of [homegrown] cyber experts. There is a global shortage of cybersecurity experts; the last time we checked this was somewhere above three million persons with these skillsets that are needed worldwide — one million of which are needed in the US alone.

“Our plan is therefore to develop the market as we make those investments,” John told the Caribbean Business Report.

The local cybersecurity market now made up of a handful of other private operators includes popular players such as Symptai Consulting, tTech Limited, 876 Technology Solutions, and the Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (JCIRT) at the government level.

Lieutenant Colonel Godphey Sterling, head of the JCIRT, in speaking at the launch on behalf of Dr Dana Morris Dixon, minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for skills and digital transformation, welcomed the launch of CyberEYE locally and agreed that Jamaica’s effort in tackling cybercrime requires an all-hands-on-deck approach led by heightened awareness.

“To protect our businesses, and by extension our national interest, we must adopt a multifaceted approach to cybersecurity and the first step is awareness. In addition to upgrading our technology we must also train our people to identify, prevent and respond to cyberthreats, we must build a fortress around our digital assets,” he stated.

CyberEYE’s Director of Local Operations Anthony Smith, in further underscoring cybersecurity as an integral part of the transformation process, said it was greatly needed in the post-pandemic era.

“We must urgently look at our processes and systems to effectively transform our digital landscape,” he said during a panel discussion at the recent launch and summit event.