Jamaica Marks a Decade of Progress in Cybersecurity as National Strategy Advances
Jamaica has taken strong steps over the past ten years toward becoming a cyber-secure nation, with significant milestones reached in protecting the country’s digital space, people, and sovereign interests.
With the upcoming commemoration of Cybersecurity Awareness Day on October 30, 2025, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Godphey Sterling, Director of the Jamaica Cyber Incidents Response Team, JaCirt, reflected on the nation’s progress since the promulgation of the National Cybersecurity Strategy in 2015 and the establishment of the division tasked with safeguarding Jamaica’s cyberspace.
Speaking this morning (October 1, 2025) at a Post Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House, Mr. Sterling highlighted the country’s journey since the National Cybersecurity Strategy was first introduced in 2015. He noted that the creation of the Division gave Jamaica its own visibility into the risks and threats within its cyberspace.
Sterling stated: “[In the] Ten years that we’ve been delivering cybersecurity on behalf of Government of Jamaica to the people, our sovereign interests has fundamentally changed the way we view, manage, and respond to threats. What began in 2015 as a foundational step with the National Cybersecurity Strategy has grown into a robust national infrastructure that allows us to not just see and understand our vulnerabilities but to mitigate them with precision and sustainability.”
Among the major milestones was the establishment of the National Security Operations Centre in 2022, which now provides real-time national data and enables agencies to address vulnerabilities before they escalate into breaches. Sterling also pointed to the Strengthening Cybersecurity in Jamaica Project, recently approved by the Inter-American Development Bank, which will bolster Jamaica’s cyber defences with modern tools and training.
Mr. Sterling further emphasized the importance of preparing the next generation of professionals. The Jamaica Cyber Youth Empowerment Academy, launched with support from the Government of Canada, is being positioned as a regional model for training, while the CCGM platform is helping to secure the financial sector through collaboration with regulators, banks, and law enforcement.
Sterling noted the overwhelming response to the VINCULA LAC programme, which drew 25 percent more applications than anticipated. He stressed, “We’re looking to push this sort of engagement forward to ensure that the cybersecurity talent pipeline is secure and is sustainable. This is not just about creating professionals for today’s needs but ensuring Jamaica has the expertise in the near, medium, and long term to keep pace with evolving global threats.”
As Jamaica observes Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025 under the theme “Secure Today – Smarter Tomorrow,” the Government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a safe and resilient digital environment for all Jamaicans.