Jamaica remains vulnerable to cyber threats

 

Jamaica's defences against hackers remain vulnerable amid increasingly sophisticated cyber threats and attacks. 

 

More than 30 million cyber attack attempts were recorded locally within the first six months of 2025, even as Jamaica has taken strong steps over the last 10 years toward becoming a cyber-secure nation. 

 

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Godphey Sterling, head of the Jamaica Cyber Incidents Response Team (JaCIRT), said the move to a digital society makes it easier for credentials among other critical personal identifiable information to become compromised.

 

He added that there are several factors that continue to cripple resilience in cyber security.

 

"What we have are credentials out there that work in the organisation, that have been compromised, have not been remediated, and so when we find it, we can actually get into the organisation. Our responsible action is to lock the account and contact the organisation, but for the cyber criminal, it's a treasure trove. And oftentimes, it's not the actual entity that you work in that has been compromised. 

 

"The second is how you treat with data loss, data loss prevention. We do not do it. And so what you find is that emails are sent, data is copied. The use of thumb drives, for example, is not something that should be allowed in certain workplaces or even for certain individuals based on what they do and who they are. And then thirdly, social media, and what we put out there," he pointed out.

 

Lt. Col. Sterling said geopolitical tensions have also driven up cyber attacks while weakening regional defences. 

 

October is being recognised globally as Cyber Security Month.

 

JaCIRT will be undertaking a series of awareness and training activities to boost cyber protections locally.