House: UN agency helping to build island’s cybersecurity
The International Telecommunication Union headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland has partnered with the Ministry of National Security to build the island’s protection and response framework against online threats.
Its assistance will enable the implementation of a national cybersecurity incident response team in a project spanning 12 to 18 months, MPs heard this morning.
Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, told the House of Assembly the support would come at no cost to the taxpayer — courtesy of the ITU’s “technical assistance programme for small island developing states”.
After the island’s government IT systems and public services were hit in September 2023 by a far-reaching cyberattack, legislators approved the Cybersecurity Act 2024 to tighten protections for critical national infrastructure.
Parliament also agreed in May 2024 to investigate the attack with a joint select committee comprising legislators from both parties.
A lawmakers’ group investigating a crippling cyberattack on government systems in 2023 is back in action.
The parliamentary joint select committee had to be renewed by MPs after it was dissolved, along with the rest of the legislature, once a General Election was called for February 18 this year.
Lawrence Scott of the Progressive Labour Party remains chairman, with PLP MP Scott Simmons returning and government MP Jamahl Simmons appointed.
They are joined by One Bermuda Alliance MP Dwayne Robinson, who previously served while an Opposition senator, and OBA senator Maurice Foley.
The two new members replaced former members Anthony Richardson, a PLP MP, and Robert King, an OBA MP.
Mr Weeks said the NCIRT, overseen by the ministry’s National Cybersecurity Unit, was tasked with threat monitoring, issuing warnings and to co-ordinate incident responses, across the private sector as well as the Government.
The ITU came on board for “technical assistance and capacity building support” from July 1.
Mr Weeks said: “This engagement directly supports the operational mandates outlined in the Act and ensures that our implementation meets globally recognised standards, including those promoted by the ITU’s Global Cybersecurity Index and the Caricom Cybersecurity Action Plan.”
The ITU, which is an agency of the United Nations, is to help the response team develop its public website, giving “real-time threat information, awareness resources and incident reporting tools” to the Government, businesses and the public.
It will also help equip the island with a threat intelligence platform to detect, analyse and protect against cyber threats targeting Bermuda, and train and mentor staff on Bermuda’s computer incident response team.
Mr Weeks said the partnership meant “more than technical support” as it brought the island up to international standards.
“It is a critical step in building the foundational institutions necessary to protect Bermuda’s economy, public services and national interests in an increasingly digital world,” he added.
• To read the minister’s statement in full, see Related Media
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