Government Urges Jamaicans to Protect Their Data and Act Responsibly as Digital Citizens
The Government of Jamaica, through the Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (JaCIRT), is intensifying efforts to safeguard citizens against growing cyber threats by promoting greater awareness, stronger personal responsibility, and improved digital practices.
Speaking today at a Post Cabinet Press Briefing, Director of JaCIRT, Lieutenant Colonel Godphey Sterling, highlighted Jamaica’s vulnerability to cybercrime and underscored the importance of citizens playing their part in national cyber resilience.
“Cybercrime, if it were a nation, would be the third largest economy in the world,” Lt. Col. Sterling warned. “For Jamaica, with more than three million daily internet connections, most from mobile devices, our exposure is significant. Weak passwords, careless handling of data, and oversharing online make us attractive targets.”
The JaCIRT has identified three major risks affecting Jamaicans:
- Compromised Credentials—Using work emails and passwords on unsecured websites or platforms exposes entire organizations.
- Poor Data Protection Practices—Unrestricted use of storage devices, unsecured data transfers, and inadequate workplace safeguards create major risks.
- Oversharing on Social Media and Smart Devices—Information shared too freely, coupled with “always listening” smart technology, makes individuals more vulnerable to breaches.
Lt. Col. Sterling urged citizens to adopt stronger “cyber hygiene” practices, including updating devices regularly, reducing unnecessary digital footprints, segmenting home Wi-Fi networks, and maintaining stricter password security.
He emphasized that reporting incidents is critical to national protection.
“We at the CIRT [Cyber Incident Response Team] cannot manage what we cannot measure. Low or no reporting is our biggest challenge to cybersecurity,” he said.
Through JaCIRT, the Government continues to lead national awareness campaigns, support organizations in strengthening their systems, and equip Jamaicans to act responsibly as digital citizens.
All citizens, businesses, and institutions are urged to remain vigilant and take the necessary steps to protect their data. By practicing stronger cyber hygiene, Jamaica can build a safer and more resilient digital future.