Jamaica had 5.4 million attempted cyber attacks in first quarter of 2026

 

 

Jamaica is tackling a difficult year in cyberspace with 5.4 million attempted attacks in the first quarter of 2026. 

 

Director of the Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (JaCIRT), Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Godphey Sterling, says from September 2025 to 2026 there were 18 million attempted cyber attacks. 

 

He says ransomware attacks remain the top issues plaguing the country. 

 

"When we look at the Jamaica threat landscape, ransomware continues to be an existential threat. And even more so, the pivot by the threat actors from locking or encrypting your data to just simply taking it and then extorting you is something that we're tracking quite vociferously. What we're trying to get entities to appreciate here is that with this pivot, backups won't help you because there's nothing to restore. They're not encrypting your data. They're not locking your systems. They're simply taking your data and then trying to get you to pay," he warned.

 

Meanwhile, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, Minister with responsibility for Science Technology and Special Projects, said he will be taking to cabinet shortly a proposal to establish the National Cyber Security Coordination Assurance Council, as the government moves to prioritise and strengthen the country's cyber security framework.

 

"It will be a lean council in the Office of the Prime Minister, set up for 24 months with members from government, the security forces, regulators, the private sector, academia and the Office of the Information Commissioner. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management will also have a seat at the table because, ladies and gentlement, the truth is a major cyber incident is a national emergency and must be planned for like just any other national emergency. The Council's full mandate and work programme will be set out once Cabinet has approved the proposal. But what I can tell you today is its purpose, and that is to turn the plans we have already have into action and to prepare ground for a permanent National Cybersecurity Authority," he shared.

 

The announcement comes ahead of the start of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October. 

 

They were speaking at Wednesday morning's post-Cabinet press briefing.