18th June 2019

Saint Lucia Hosts UK & Singapore-Sponsored Caribbean Commonwealth Cyber Security Workshop

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By British High Commission

Press Release - Saint Lucia recently hosted a pan-Caribbean and American Commonwealth workshop to promote National Computer Security Incident Response Teams (nCSIRTs). An nCSIRT is an entity that responds to national level cyber incidents and threat. It also promotes cyber awareness in the country and is the cornerstone of national cyber security. The workshop was held at the Marigot Bay Resort and Marina.

The workshop was part of a programme sponsored by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) Commonwealth Cyber Programme and Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency. This includes capacity- building workshops being hosted in Ghana, Saint Lucia, Singapore and London.

The 3-day workshop took place on 21st May saw participation by 11 Commonwealth Caribbean countries. Resident High Commissioner, Mr. Steve McCready addressed the opening and the Permanent Secretary for Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation, External Affairs and Public Service, Ms Peggy-Anne Soudatt, delivered special remarks.

Participants conducted table-top exercises to explore how a real-life cyber incident would be dealt with in their respective countries. They also shared their experiences on planning or establishing an nCSIRT. Experts from the Forum of Incident Response Teams (FIRST) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) highlighted why countries are choosing to build, develop and measure their nCSIRT capability. A presentation was made on the UK’s experience in developing their own national cyber security strategy and the creation of the National Cyber Security Centre.

Saint Lucia took the opportunity to present its draft business plan for setting up an nCSIRT to partner nations. This enabled nations without such a plan to see what was involved in creating one and those with a plan to offer experience-based advice. Each countries departed the workshop with a set of tangible action plans, which they will now work on and develop ahead of a UK workshop later this year. A major benefit of the workshop was the opportunity for participants to share knowledge andexperience, forge new international connections with partner nations and build cooperation to increase regional resilience.

One participant noted that “The delegates were the right mix, inexperienced and experienced and because we all came from the same region, experiencing the same issues, the absolute candour and genuine respect that was exhibited made this an absolute invaluable experience. The organisers and FCO must be highly commended for designing one of, if not the best, training experience”.

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