Commonwealth Fellows Develop Cybercrime Mitigation Strategy for the Caribbean

Cybersecurity experts from across the Commonwealth Caribbean convened in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on January 21st and 22nd, 2025, to forge a collaborative roadmap for bolstering regional cybersecurity. This inaugural meeting of the Commonwealth Caribbean Cyber Fellowship brought together fifteen fellows representing various Caribbean nations, including The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, along with representatives from regional security organizations like CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and the Regional Security System (RSS). The primary objective of this fellowship is to enhance cooperation and coordination in combating the escalating threat of cybercrime, aiming to create a safer online environment for citizens and businesses across the region.

The resulting roadmap outlines a comprehensive framework for joint action against diverse cyber threats, encompassing fraud, ransomware attacks, and hacking. Key components of the roadmap include the establishment of a dedicated online platform for knowledge sharing and resource dissemination among member states. This platform will facilitate the exchange of best practices, tools, and strategies for strengthening national cybersecurity policies and infrastructure. Furthermore, the roadmap emphasizes mutual support in the critical area of handling electronic evidence, crucial for successful prosecution of cybercriminals. This collaborative approach recognizes the interconnected nature of cyberspace and the need for a unified front against transnational cyber threats.

The fellowship participants emphasized the significance of this roadmap as a crucial step towards achieving a more secure digital future for the Caribbean. Trezawnah Gordon, a senior cybersecurity official from Jamaica, highlighted the roadmap’s potential to provide a crucial platform for sharing expertise and developing adaptable models for bolstering national cybersecurity frameworks. This sentiment was echoed by other fellows, who acknowledged the unique challenges faced by smaller Caribbean nations with limited resources dedicated to cybersecurity. The fellowship aims to address these limitations by fostering collaboration and resource pooling, leading to more agile and coordinated responses to cyber threats.

Anish Bachu, a cybersecurity expert from Trinidad and Tobago, underscored the resource constraints faced by many Caribbean countries, where cybersecurity teams often consist of only a handful of individuals. He emphasized the fellowship’s role in mitigating this challenge by enabling knowledge sharing and collaborative efforts, enabling swifter and more effective responses to cyber incidents. This collaborative approach aims to leverage the collective expertise within the region to overcome the limitations imposed by individual resource constraints.

Elizabeth Macharia, Head of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Rule of Law Section, articulated the dual nature of digital connectivity, recognizing its potential for societal development while simultaneously acknowledging its inherent vulnerability to cyber threats. She stressed the urgency of addressing these threats and commended the roadmap as a locally-led solution. This roadmap empowers Caribbean nations to implement proactive, domestically-rooted measures to enhance their digital security, fostering a safer online environment for all citizens.

The Commonwealth Caribbean Cyber Fellowship, launched in 2024 with the support of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, represents a significant investment in regional cybersecurity capacity building. Jon Dean, British High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, emphasized the fellowship’s role in facilitating the exchange of best practices and expertise among key stakeholders in the cybersecurity domain. The UK’s commitment to supporting the Caribbean’s security and prosperity is underscored by this initiative, aimed at equipping the region to effectively tackle the evolving cyber threats of the future. This collaborative endeavor aligns with the broader goals of the Commonwealth Cyber Declaration, a commitment by Commonwealth nations to promote a secure and inclusive cyberspace for all.