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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 The
Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) of the Organization
of American States (OAS) conducted a two-day visit to Nassau, Bahamas
from April 24-25, as a part of the technical assistance to be provided
to the Government of The Bahamas for the development of its National
Cyber Security Strategy, through an initiative that will be coordinated
by the OAS Cyber Security Program together with the Ministry of National
Security of The Bahamas.
During this visit, a two-day national workshop was held on the
development of a national strategy for the establishment of a national
Computer Incident Response team (CIRT). The Technical Mission was led by
cyber security specialists from the OAS with the participation of an
expert consultant in the area of CIRT development. The group discussed
various approaches in the development and implementation of the national
strategy, and participants were guided through working group sessions
to formulate the main tenets of the strategy. The visit formed part of a
larger offer of assistance aimed at helping The Bahamas to develop its
National Cyber Security Strategy and National CIRT, and includes
follow-up support to facilitate the expedient development and adoption
of the strategy.
The Executive Secretary for the Inter-American Committee against
Terrorism (CICTE) Neil Klopfenstein, said “the OAS and the Government of
Bahamas since it joined in 1982 have had a mutually beneficial
relationship through the exchange of learning and experiences. It is our
pleasure to be in a position where we are able to provide this level of
technical assistance to The Bahamas, recognizing that because of the
economic success and per capita income and income distribution in the
country it is a prime target for cyber criminals. The development and
implementation of a National Cyber Security Strategy in our current
global context will allow The Bahamas to join other states in the fight
against cybercrime. The OAS has already supported Colombia, Panama, and
Trinidad and Tobago in this task, and we hope to continue providing this
support to the other member states that require it.”
For his part, the Minister of National Security of The Bahamas,
Bernard Nottage, noted that “the issue of cyber-crime, and how the
criminal justice system deals with it, is becoming more and more
important given the rise in the use of the internet and the country’s
increasing reliance on systems which are vulnerable to new forms of
attack.”
“We look forward to the expert advice to be shared at this
workshop on various approaches that can be adopted in the development
and implementation of the national strategy,” he added. “The workshop is
important,” concluded Minister Nottage, “as we need a structured
framework in terms of going forward; a structure within which to create
the strategy, with multiple stakeholders.”
This initiative is among several such activities planned for 2014
by the OAS Cyber Security Program, which has initiated discussions with
other member states regarding the current state of development or
implementation of their national cyber security strategies and has
offered tailored technical assistance towards this end.
The OAS/CICTE Cyber Security Program is the result of a decision
by the OAS General Assembly to adopt a Comprehensive Inter-American
Cyber Security Strategy in 2004. The Organization was mandated to
develop the cyber security capabilities of its member states with a
focus on establishing Computer Security and Incident Response Teams
(CSIRTs); to raise awareness on the importance of cyber issues and the
creation of a culture of cyber security; as well as to support the
development of cyber security policy frameworks. As such, as of 2013 the
Program has assisted 19 member states through working closely with the
governments of the Americas to establish national CSIRTs. It has also
helped three member states to develop and officially adopt comprehensive
national cyber security strategies.
For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.
© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com
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