Dr. Edrica Richardson
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C
ompany commemorates 18th annual Safer Internet Day
Nassau, The Bahamas - Connectivity is at the heart of BTC’s business with a focus on ensuring as many people as possible can access the digital world. On February 9th, BTC and its parent company Liberty Latin America will mark Safer Internet Day by promoting the need for safe access for all.
Felipe Ruiz, VP, Information Security (CISO), Liberty Latin America commented, “In our industry, we see first-hand how important access to the digital world is and the impact it can have on helping communities to grow and thrive. However, we must also raise awareness and educate users on how to engage safely and responsibly. Safer Internet Day is a great reminder that we must always equip users with the knowledge and tools to help safeguard themselves in our digital environment.”
BTC will commemorate the globally recognized, Safer Internet Day (SID) with three virtual summits for upper primary and junior high school students. Safer Internet Day aims to create a safer but also better internet, where everyone is empowered to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively. This year’s theme is “Together for a better internet”.
Harrison Thompson
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BTC CEO, Garry Sinclair said, “The internet impacts us all. We are still in the throes of a global pandemic and people are spending a lot more time online, whether its students who are still primarily receiving their education in an online environment or adults working from home. As a responsible corporate citizen, we believe the message of Safer Internet Day is important now more than ever. Online safety is a multi-stakeholder initiative, and sessions like these will provide invaluable information for students. We want to empower our students to become even smarter digital citizens.”
Sessions will include presentations from educator Zena Dean, therapists Dr. Edrica Richardson and Harrison Thompson, Sgt. Makelle Pinder and other members of the National Crime Prevention Unit. Topics will include how to become a better digital citizen, cyberbullying and a gamut of emerging online issues.
Sgt. Makelle Pinder
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The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital connectivity adoption and highlighted the need to expand access. It is not simply work or study from home; it is from anywhere in the world (a shopping center, a cafe, an airport, etc.). The user now sets the safety perimeter, and they need to ensure it is as strong as possible.
There has never been a period of rapid traffic growth like what the world is currently witnessing with activity increasing between 40% and 60% over the last twelve months as compared to traditional growth rates. Internet traffic has exploded, according to online articles in various technology publications which show communication platforms such as Skype, WhatsApp, and Zoom recording have experienced usage increases as high as 304%, 609% and 800% respectively in 2020.
Key online safety tips from BTC:
Zena Dean
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Never share a password or account number over e-mail or instant messaging tool.
Do not open links from unknown accounts, always be suspicious.
Be wary of suspicious callers, pop-ups, websites, or e-mails asking for personal information.
Check the senders and the pages you open before typing your username and password. You can try using the wrong password if you distrust the page.
Your antivirus must be up to date and your devices updated on security patches.
Your lifeguard is the second authentication factor (MFA, Token).
Make an inventory of your users and passwords (applications, emails, websites, subscriptions, etc.).
Don't use the same password for everything; try to use patterns that only you know. Change passwords frequently.
Immediately file a report with local authorities if there is ever an incident of a suspicion of identity theft.
Safer Internet Day is celebrated in over 170 countries globally. To help mark the occasion of Safer Internet Day and promote this year’s theme of ‘Together for a better Internet’, Liberty Latin America employees are hosting a range of initiatives to raise awareness about internet safety across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Ruiz also stated, “Information security plays a crucial role in ensuring users can safely access the internet and we are committed to playing our role in helping to protect our customers and communities as they navigate the digital world.”
