House: tough legislation on IT crime to go before MPs
Legislation for a cybersecurity framework protecting “critical national information infrastructure assets” goes before MPs for debate today in the House of Assembly.
The Cybersecurity Act 2024 comes in the wake of a cyberattack last September that knocked out the Government’s IT network, causing prolonged disruption to a string of services.
MPs agreed at the last sitting of the House on May 3 to investigate the attack with a joint select committee made up of legislators from both parties.
The new Act would set up a Cybersecurity Advisory Board and a National Cybersecurity Unit, with a National Cybersecurity Incident Response Team.
Legislators will also consider updates to the island’s 1996 legislation on computer misuse, to bring it up to international best practice.
The Computer Misuse Act 2024 includes a $1 million fine or life imprisonment for offences that cause “a significant risk of serious damage to human welfare or serious damage to national security”.
The Tourism Investment (Hamilton Princess & Beach Club) Order 2024 will deliver customs duty and tax relief for the development of the resort.
The Registration (Births and Deaths) Amendment Act 2024 will amend the 1949 legislation to allow “the issuance of a short certificate of death by the Registrar-General and to provide, in cases of delay, for an initial shortened notification of death to be given by a medical practitioner or coroner”.
MPs are also due to consider supplementary estimates for the 2022-23 financial year.
Statements include Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the public works minister, addressing the issue of lifeguards for public beaches, which was raised as a concern after a visitor lost his life at Horseshoe Bay last month.
Wayne Furbert, the transport minister, is scheduled to give an update on the digital paying of fares.
David Burt will also speak on the island’s reaffirmation of its A+ sovereign credit rating by Standard and Poor’s.
• To view the Order of Business for the House of Assembly, see “Related Media”.
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