Legislators from both parliamentary chambers are expected to form a committee to investigate the cyberattack that struck down government systems almost seven weeks ago.

The upcoming parliamentary session is also set to include the consideration of a cybersecurity Bill, tailored in the wake of the incident.

Reading the Throne Speech on behalf of the Government, Governor Rena Lalgie said on Friday: “Bermuda learned that the geographic isolation of the Atlantic Ocean is no barrier to the cyber wars of the 21st century.

“Government systems were attacked and it has taken a Herculean effort to restore and recover those systems.

“While protections were in place and more were contemplated, the events of this September have both accelerated and shifted those plans.”

She added: “The Government has mandated an increase in threat detection, as well as enhanced security training for public officers.

“In this session, the Legislature will be invited to strike a joint select committee of both houses to inquire into and make recommendations arising from September’s cyberattack.

“Additionally, the Legislature will take under consideration a cybersecurity Bill, the draft of which will be amended to reflect recommended statutory strengthening required in the wake of the cyberattack on the Bermuda Government.”

Ms Lalgie earlier described the incident as a “major cyberattack” and said then that the UK’s National Cybersecurity Centre and National Crime Agency had provided advice to support authorities on the island.

After government systems were targeted on September 20, members of the public were advised that all departments were affected as telephone, internet and e-mail systems were disrupted.

The impact and repercussions of the incident continued last week.

Michael Dunkley, the One Bermuda Alliance shadow spokesman on national security, last month supported a call for an independent inquiry into the cyberattack.

David Burt, the Premier, said on October 16: “Once our systems are fully restored and services have returned to normal operations, the Government will initiate a full inquiry into the matter.

“In my view the best place for this to be will be via the parliamentary process so that government backbenchers and opposition members are able to participate.

“I will discuss this with the Speaker of the House and the Leader of the Opposition and work with them to establish an appropriate parliamentary committee to look into this matter.”

Soon after, Opposition leader Jarion Richardson claimed: “To put the cyberattack inquiry into Parliament would make it subject to political manipulation, and Bermuda will never know the full story.

“This Parliament is not equipped to undertake an inquiry of this nature after being hobbled by this Government.

“The people’s House has been persistently disregarded through diminished chambers and offices, sudden meeting dates, rushed legislation and pushing the boundaries of parliamentary procedure.

“The cyberattack inquiry must be independent to get to the bottom of things.”

And at a post Throne Speech press conference on Friday, Mr Richardson said the best vehicle for an investigation would be a Commission of Inquiry, adding that the Government would dominate the JSC, which would “become a political football”.

• To read the Throne Speech in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”.

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Throne Speech 2023