During his remarks at the first-ever National CIRT(Computer Incident Response Team) Stakeholder Engagement Symposium, onAugust 23, 2022, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davisnoted that it was “an exciting time” for digital transformation in the country, andcybersecurity was at the core of that revolutionary time.

The National Computer Incident Response Team, he said, “is a first of its kind inthe country, being organised by Digital Transformation to StrengthenCompetitiveness Project, and headed by Sametria McKinney, National CIRTManager, in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union of theUnited Nations,” Prime Minister Davis said at the event held at SuperClubsBreezes.

“The development of the cybersecurity posture in the country underpins theobjectives for digital transformation, and the establishment of the CIRT is a criticalresource,” he added.

Among those present included Parliamentary Secretary at Ministry of EconomicAffairs Wayde Watson, and senior advisor in the Office of the Prime MinisterKevin Simmons.

Prime Minister Davis pointed out that the National CIRT will serve as a focal pointfor coordinating cybersecurity incident response to cyber-attacks -- providingcybersecurity support services to government, private organizations, andBahamian citizens -- particularly those in critical infrastructure and essentialservices in order to defend against malicious cyber activities.

“In our Blueprint for Change, we identified cybersecurity as one of the criticalinitiatives for accelerating the country's economic growth and development,” hesaid. “We also recognize that cybersecurity and cyber resilience are essential todeveloping a digital society and secure and protect every citizen of The Bahamas.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, cybersecurity is a journey, one that we cannot takealone.”

Cyber security is a whole community effort, Prime Minister Davis pointed out. Headded that government, industry and individual citizens all had a part to play.

“I am delighted we see you all here today to engage in discussions with ourcybersecurity experts and learn from their experience in building National CyberResilience,” Prime Minister Davis said.

He noted that the National CIRT establishment project started in March 2021; andthat many activities had been organised during the past year to assess TheBahamas’ cybersecurity posture and enhance its cyber resilience.

“These activities, which many of you have already been a part of, include the CIRTReadiness Assessment and Incident Response Training, Cybersecurity CapabilityMaturity Model Assessment, developed by the Global Cyber Security CapacityCenter at the University of Oxford, and most importantly, the NationalCybersecurity Strategy,” Prime Minister Davis said.

He pointed out that the National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS), which outlines thecountry's cybersecurity strategic principles, guidelines, and objectives, was in itsfinal draft and was being prepared for Cabinet's approval.

“The strategic assessment was conducted with the engagement of cross-functional stakeholders across the public and private sections,” he said. “Weexpect that the implementation of the National Cybersecurity Strategy willimprove the security of our digital infrastructure and ultimately contribute to itsbroader socio-economic growth.

“I look forward to its presentation to Cabinet.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that, in The Bahamas, they had seen a rise in digitalthreats and malicious cyber activities, including data breaches to publicinfrastructure, losses from digital fraud and illicit financial flows, amongst otheractivities.

“Cybersecurity is the crucial foundation for advancing our utilization of ICT andmanaging cyber risks,” he said.

He also noted the CIRT Bahamas’ mission, which he quoted, "…to improve thecountry's cybersecurity posture through proactive identification and managementof cyber risks, collaborated cyber information sharing, and education whileprotecting the constitutional rights of all Bahamians” was both clear, achievableand evoked a sense of pride and community.

“Our collaboration with our friends and partners across the globe, specificallyinformation sharing at the regional and sub-regional levels on cybersecuritycapacity building and development, will better position the Bahamas to deal withincreasingly sophisticated cyber threats,” Prime Minister Davis said.

“Consistent with these advances will be our commitment to modernizing our legalframework to support our cybersecurity initiatives and to be strong and resilientagainst cybercrime.”

Prime Minister Davis thanked the CIRT- Bahamas team and the Ministry ofEconomic Affairs, The Bahamas’ ITU partners and organizers of the event.“We are making big strides in our journey toward a digital society,” he said. “TheNational CIRT and cybersecurity strategy will give us the protection and providethe safeguards that we all need in order to do business, transact and learn in thatspace.”

“Thank you and I wish you success as you continue your workshops.”