A cybersecurity unit is being developed to protect the island’s digital assets, the Minister of National Security said.

Michael Weeks told the House of Assembly yesterday that his ministry worked with several groups, including the International Telecommunications Union, to develop a plan for a cybersecurity unit.

He said that once the system was up and running, it would lay down the foundation for the National Cybersecurity Incident Response Team to protect the island’s public and private digital infrastructure.

Mr Weeks added that this team would go on to offer training opportunities for Bermudians to “avoid becoming overly dependent on overseas vendors, contractors and service providers”.

The Cybersecurity Response Team is being assembled and will be at the Ministry of National Security headquarters.

Mr Weeks said that any costs would be brought to the House “at a later date”.

He added: “We are doing all that we can to protect not only our infrastructure but the general public.”

He said that Bermuda’s updated cybercrime plan was revamped to align itself with the Budapest Convention on cybercrime, which promotes international standards and co-operation for cybercrime.

Mr Weeks explained: “Aligning with the Budapest Convention will help support the effective investigation and prosecution of cybercrimes within Bermuda and facilitate international co-operation to address cybercrimes that cross international boundaries.”

The national security minister said that new legislation to tightened cybersecurity was being drafted to defend against cybercrimes and would be brought before the House of Assembly “as soon as possible”.

The adjustments will be made after consultation with the British Home Office, which helped to conduct a National Cyber Risk Assessment.

Mr Weeks warned that cybercrimes seemed to be on the rise, and told the public to be suspicious of e-mails from unknown senders and those that asked for personal information.

He also advised against sharing banking details and passwords if requested by e-mail or unknown callers.

The Ministry of National Security cybersecurity unit will allow for independent logging and monitoring so that attacks against government IT systems can be investigated.

Mr Weeks said: “Updating and implementing the Bermuda Cybersecurity Strategy and internal cybersecurity programme will help ensure that we continue to address the ever-evolving cyber threats that impact both our public and private sector critical infrastructures.”

To read the full statement, click on the PDF under “Related Media”.

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Ministerial Statement to House - Cybersecurity June 2023.pdf