House: cybersecurity debate to proceed
Vital IT systems are due for an updated ring of defence with cybersecurity legislation to go before MPs for debate today in the House of Assembly.
The Cybersecurity Act 2024 will shore up protections for “critical national information infrastructure assets”, ranging from government computer systems to IT for energy, telecommunications, healthcare, emergency services, water, and “other essential public and private sector functions and services”.
It comes in the wake of a cyberattack last September that crippled government services when the IT network had to be shut down.
MPs agreed 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.
The island’s cybersecurity will be subject to an annual review, with the first set be carried out by June 30, 2025.
The legislation comes in the wake of the Computer Misuse Act 2024 getting passed on Wednesday in the Senate.
Also up for debate is a paper brought at an earlier sitting by Kathy Lynn Simmons, the Attorney-General: “Court Fees and Expenses Amendment and Validation Rules 2024”.
A statement on affordable housing is set for Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the public works minister, while Diallo Rabain, the education minister, will speak on the Bermuda College’s 2024 graduating class.
Tinée Furbert, the youth, social development and seniors minister, will update MPs on foster care month as well as a national register of the disabled, and a benefit package for short-term relief.
Vance Campbell, the Cabinet office minister, will speak on the upcoming Personal Information Protection Act regime, and Jason Hayward, the economy and labour minister, will give a statement on Britain’s electronic travel authorisation — while Wayne Furbert, the travel minister, is to deliver an update on air service development.
On the day before of the official start of the official start of the 2024 hurricane season, Michael Weeks, the national security minister, will brief the House on preparedness for what meteorologists have predicted is likely to be a busier than normal season.
• To read the order of business for the House of Assembly, see “Related Media”
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