Education Minister Grant Gibbons last week signed a new agreement with the Microsoft Corporation for the continued use of the company’s online safety material — with the content provided at no cost to the Government.

The agreement will take effect immediately and continue through a two-year period. Bermuda will continue to have access to certain content, videos and other information related to cyber security and exclusively developed and produced by Microsoft. The materials include content that promote safe technology practices for students, parents, teachers and individuals at home or work.

The materials are to be featured on the Department of E-Commerce redesigned www.cybertips.bm website. The cybertips website also features materials provided by other partners such as the Bermuda Police Service.

The agreement was signed by Minister Gibbons and Microsoft territory manager, George Gobin.

“We thank Microsoft for the continued use of these materials,” Dr Gibbons said. “Technology is ubiquitous in Bermuda and we are more than ever digital citizens in a very connected world. We must therefore ensure that our interactions in the technology world are safe and secure.

“This Microsoft agreement provides us with a library of content and tools that will benefit all sectors of our population, from students to seniors.

“Through Cybertips.bm we will continue to work to provide the public with the latest information and resources to promote online safety and security for all Bermuda residents.”

Mr Gobin said: “We are honoured to extend this agreement with the Department of E-Commerce on behalf of the Government of Bermuda.

“Security and internet safety is clearly a top priority for Microsoft. We are committed to driving innovation, building trust — and trustworthiness — in computing, so that all people can have the very best experience with our technology and can realise their full potential through the magic of software and internet services.”

Nancy Volesky, Director of E-Commerce said: “We appreciate that the Microsoft Corporation is a partner with Bermuda in this very important endeavour. We use these materials to promote good practices, inform Bermuda users about the dangers of using various technologies and to encourage safety online.”

The original agreement was signed in August 2007 and was the first such agreement made with a country in the Caribbean region. This first agreement followed the passage of the Bermuda Criminal Code Amendment Act 2007 that provides comprehensive laws to prevent the sexual exploitation and abuse of children, especially on the internet. A second agreement was signed in October, 2010 and a third in November 2012.