NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The Bahamas Government, through the Department of Transformation and Digitization, Office of the Prime Minister, has unveiled its international partnership with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and local private sector partners to develop and implement its National Cyber Security Emergency Response Team.

During the virtual launch, February 10, 2021 Minister of State for Finance and for Grand Bahama, with responsibility for government digitization, Senator the Hon. J. Kwasi Thompson explained, now more than ever the country is faced with unprecedented challenges that have opened the door for greater exploration and new opportunities in the world of information and communication technology. 

“The use of digital devices and the accessibility of the Internet have changed the way we think and operate daily. In step with these changes, and as you are all aware, The Bahamas, through a loan facility from the IDB has embarked on a trailblazing initiative of digitizing some 200 government services over five years, placing them on-line and allowing the application, payment and in some cases receipt of the services over a secure platform.”

Citing digitization progress so far, he explained, the government’s initial Pilot encompasses four services -- application for birth, death and marriage certificates, and the renewal of driver’s licences.  In the coming weeks, the renewal of ePassport will be added, and to that more services every month on the platform.  Further, it is anticipated that quasi-government and private business partners will use the platform.

Senator Thompson stated further that the government is moving forward with a Bahamian electronic ID.  “The government has piloted our cashless initiative, Digipay, at the Department of Immigration with plans to implement the initiative at Road Traffic, Bahamas Customs and other agencies.

“The Judiciary and the Department of Social Services have begun using electronic wallet providers to receive payments and pay out benefits.  Bahamas Customs will also launch its online digital declaration form where Bahamians can fill out and pay customs duties even before they arrive back home.”

He remarked -- where there is an increased use of information technology, software, and digital communication, there are increased opportunities for cyber-attacks and cyber-crimes.

Senator Thompson said the government is obligated to do all that it can to put mechanisms in place to protect the government’s systems and citizens’ data from exposure to these attacks.

The National Cyber Security Project has been created to establish the National Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT), with the primary objective of these efforts to assist The Bahamas in assessing its current cyber security capabilities, developing a national cyber security strategy, and establishing a central coordination point of contact for cyber security -- aimed at identifying, defending, responding and managing cyber threats.

Senator Thompson said, “We are also expected to identify our critical infrastructure and sectors.  Accommodation has been identified and I also wish to announce and invite applications which will be publicly advertised for the posts of Manager and Analyst. These posts will immediately boost our cyber security capabilities while conducting our national assessment, preparing a national strategy and ultimately becoming the first member of the National Cyber Security CERT.”

The creation of a national cyber security strategy will include reviewing, revising and implementing cyber legislation for the protection of citizens and clients.  Other objectives of this Project include:

• Building a knowledge base that supports the country's development and implementation of a national cyber security strategy as well as an approach for the protection of critical information infrastructures.
• Supporting the building of a national culture of cyber security, and related awareness-raising initiatives.
• Supporting the development of related national cyber security platforms, such as national Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), e-government services, national identity, and access management framework.
• Enabling the country to develop and enhance its incident response and management capabilities.

In addition to the aforementioned benefits, this implementation will open the door for employment opportunities for new careers in cyber security and expand the technical skills of many of our people.

This Project is not intended to be a quick fix and will last approximately two years; but that period will incorporate strategy, implementation, training and handholding or mentoring.