The Caribbean Digital Transformation Project – Project Implementation Unit under the Ministry of Public Works, Public Utilities and Digital Economy hosted CSIRTAMERICA Week Dominica from September 24 – 27, 2024.
The purpose of the training is to strengthen Dominica’s cyber capabilities through mentoring and specialized training related to the creation of a National Cyber Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) as well as encouraging cooperative dialogue on Cybersecurity.
The training is timely in that the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica is in the process of establishing a Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) as part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the Cybersecurity infrastructure in Dominica.
The four-day workshop was supported by the Organization of Americas States (OAS), Forum of the Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), and CSIRT Americas Network Team. The presenters Manuel Pérez Panero, Alejandro Sabolansky from the Organization of the Americas Cyber Security Team, Klee Aikem and Vamen Kini from Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) and CSIRT Americas Network Team covered the following topics:
- Incident Management, Detection and Triage
- Identifying and Responding to Cyber Attacks
- Technical Deep Dive into Malware, Hacking Tools and Techniques
- Technical Deep Dive into Defense and Mitigation
- Cybercrime and Legal Aspects
In his address to the participants during the opening ceremony, Permanent Secretary, Mr. Emile Lancelot highlighted the fact that Due to the increase in these cyber-attacks, and the growing risks in cyberspace, establishing a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) that can manage coordinated responses, and have a national monitoring role of the state of threats, is necessary. Its establishment will enable Cybersecurity to be addressed and cyber resilience to be developed as a priority practice in all social and economic spheres.
He further went on to state that the user is a contributor towards the risk of cyber-attacks. Ensuring that users are compliant with Cybersecurity requirements to protect information technology systems can be considered as one of the most important strategic objectives that can be implemented within Dominica.
As services, businesses, and personal activities are being migrated online, safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring the security of our digital assets has become a national priority. The establishment of a fully functional CIRT will provide several key benefits, including:
- Rapid Response to Cyber Attacks: With a trained team in place, Dominica will be
better equipped to respond swiftly to breaches, thereby minimizing damage and recovery
time. - Public Confidence in Digital Services: Citizens and businesses can engage in online
activities with increased confidence, knowing there are mechanisms in place to protect
their data. - Government Efficiency: Securing government systems ensures that essential services
remain uninterrupted, maintaining the trust of the public and international partners.
Commonwealth of Dominica.
The Government of Dominica remains committed to ensuring that the CIRT is established in line with best international practices. The ongoing training is a vital part of this process while assuring the public that significant progress is being made. The strategies discussed at the training sessions will undoubtedly influence Cybersecurity policies and practices in the Commonwealth of Dominica.
