More cyber attacks in Jamaica than reported, says expert

By Racquel Porter    

 

Cyber security consultant Gavin Dennis has revealed that there are more cyber attacks than have been publicly disclosed in Jamaica.

 

Mr. Dennis made the disclosure Monday morning during an interview with Radio Jamaica News in regards to frequent local data breaches.

 

It was disclosed on the weekend that e-commerce platform ShopCourts.com and PriceSmart have suffered data breaches.

 

Mr. Dennis said the breaches are considered serious. 

 

"At least every week, there is some other entity that's being compromised. Sometimes those reports make it into the media, sometimes it's something private...and companies or people like me are asked to help out in some of these cirsumstances," he noted. 

 

Explaining how crime has evolved, Mr. Dennis cited the lower physical risk involved in cyber versus traditional crimes.  

 

"Cyber crime is something that does pay. It's very lucrative for a lot of criminals. It's also less physical risk. There is also a significant lower risk of them being caught and going to prison or them facing physical harm because they are in an altercation with the police out on the street. So cyber crime allows them to stay tucked away, with less risk to their life and with a higher probability of making money," he outlined.