Government Advances Work On New Cybersecurity Act

The Government is advancing work on a new Cybersecurity Act to strengthen national oversight and better protect Jamaica’s critical information infrastructure.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, provided the update in a keynote address delivered by Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation, Ambassador Audrey Marks, at the National Cybersecurity Awareness Day observance.

The event was hosted by the Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) Division at the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) in Kingston, on October 29.

The proposed legislation will establish a stronger legal foundation for cybersecurity, including clearer security obligations, incident reporting and accountability.

It will complement existing cybercrime laws and strengthen the country’s capacity to prevent, withstand and recover from cyberattacks and cover systems supporting essential sectors.

“This includes systems supporting energy, banking, telecommunications, healthcare and government. The proposed framework will support clearer security obligations, incident reporting and accountability,” the Prime Minister said.

He underscored that the legislative initiative forms part of preparations for the country’s third National Cybersecurity Strategy, which will cover the period up to 2030.

The strategy will build on the achievements of the 2015 strategy and the 2021–2025 strategy, while addressing three key requirements: a stronger legal foundation, a permanent national institution, and a sufficiently large, highly skilled workforce.

He said strengthening the country’s cybersecurity arrangements is critical as Jamaica continues to expand its digital services and transform public service delivery.