Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake is urging regional law enforcement leaders to band together in the fight against cyber crime.

According to Blake, the solution to this complex, ever-evolving, and increasingly dangerous threat will not come from outside the region but from a strong internal collaborative force.

“Cyber security is not someone else’s problem; it is ours. The solutions will not come from outside the region, but from here, from the relationships, the strategies and the commitments we build today. Together we will emerge stronger, together we will build the resilience that our nations so desperately need, and together we will show the world that the Caribbean is not only a beautiful place to live, but a strong and secure region capable of meeting the future head on,” said Blake.

He was addressing the opening of the two-day Caribbean Law Enforcement Leaders’ Symposium at AC Hotel Kingston in St Andrew on Monday.

Blake argued that Caribbean law enforcement leaders must set the agenda for how the region tackles the challenges which cyber security presents.

“We must lean on each other’s strengths, learn from each other’s experiences, and most importantly, stand united in our mission to protect our nations, our people, and our way of life,” Blake said.

He stressed that the symposium was not just another meeting, but a call to action – a crucial dialogue that demands the region’s full attention and collective resolve.

Blake pointed out that cyber security, which was once considered a problem for advanced economies, has become an urgent priority for small island developing states, whether in Jamaica, Bermuda, Barbados, or any other country within the Caribbean.

“We are under siege from cyber criminals who seek to exploit our vulnerabilities,” he said.

The commissioner further argued that while law enforcement leaders in the region have to confront the same international cyber threats as their counterparts in larger nations, they face them with far fewer resources.

“The disparities in infrastructure, manpower, and technology cannot be ignored, but neither can be ignored the strengths that we bring to the table – our agility, our deep understanding of our communities, and our resilience in the face of adversity,” he said.

Blake noted that in the international arena the war against cybercrimes is fought with massive budgets, advanced technologies, and highly specialised teams, while in the Caribbean the same war is fought with different weapons – resourcefulness, regional collaboration, and an unyielding spirit.

“We are very small, but we’re strong, and that strength is amplified when we work together,” said Blake as he added that the entire region is at risk and all countries must be a part of the solution.

He noted that the forum brings together stakeholders to not just discuss problems, but to find solutions.

“It is through dialogue like these where we openly share our challenges, our successes and failures that we will forge a path towards greater security for all of us. We may be small island developing states, but we face global threats and, therefore, we must respond with global resolve. Let us not be lulled into complacency by the geographical beauty that surrounds us. Our idyllic coastlines are no defence against cyber criminals. Our sunny landscapes do not protect us from the digital threats that invade our shores,” said Blake.

In the meantime, Chief Technology Officer, Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions (CAJS) Richard Wall shared Blake’s view of the need for a collaborative approach to addressing cyber threats in the Caribbean.

“I personally believe that united together is what will allow us to be resilient,” said Wall.

He told the opening session of the symposium that CAJS believes in the power of regional collaboration and in productive knowledge sharing and embracing investment in innovation.

“We firmly believe that as a region we cannot afford to wait for a cybersecurity disaster to spur us into action. Action is required now, and so we are here to play our part in taking action,” added Wall.

He said the symposium, which was intended to set a standard for the rest of the region to emulate, was a signal event that unites the region around the common intent to build and enhance the cyber security resilience of the region.

The symposium, hosted by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in collaboration with the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) and CAJS, was an exclusive, closed-door event designed specifically for senior law enforcement leaders, senior public sector cybersecurity officials, heads of national cybersecurity incident response teams, public prosecutors, and the judiciary.