‘Remain vigilant’ for cyberattacks in new age of digital transformation – PM tells business community

With businesses hopping into the era of digital transformation and incorporating technology into their daily operations, Prime Minister (retired) Mark Phillips on Thursday drew attention to cyberattacks.
In observance of Cybersecurity Month, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) in collaboration with the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCCI) hosted a Technology Conference at the Pegasus Corporate Center.
In light of the new development wave in Guyana, businesses are utilizing innovations to remain competitive and relevant.
The Prime Minister highlighted that cyberattacks can affect national security, the economy, and the privacy of citizens. Therefore, proactive measures must be taken to beef up protection and safeguard digital assets.
“We must remain vigilant, continuously identifying potential vulnerabilities in our information systems while guarding against evolving cyber threats that could negatively impact our quality of life. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility where every citizen, business, and government agency must take proactive measures to enhance online security,” the Prime Minister affirmed.

Phillips underscored that with advancements and digitization comes exposure to challenges and threats. Industry 4.0 or the new age of rapid technological advancement in the 21st century, he said, represents a significant shift in how industries and businesses operate.
“With this increase in connectivity access to information, and energy, endless opportunities for digital innovation. It is crucial to implement and develop robust cybersecurity measures to protect data, maintain operational integrity, and ensure the safety and privacy of individuals and organizations in this new era of technological innovation.”
Phillips asserted the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring efficient cybersecurity measures are put in place for the safety and security of all Guyanese.
The government is taking cybersecurity seriously with the enactment of transformative legislation such as the Data Protection Act and the Digital Identity Card Act.
The Data Protection Bill was created to regulate the collection, keeping, processing, use, and dissemination of personal data. It sets a statutory framework, moving away from the current construct of the country’s legislation, which does not safeguard against rights to data protection.
“I wish to underscore that digital transformation brought on by Industry 4.0 should be accompanied by a solid commitment to cyber security…Industry 4.0 is such that with the proliferation of interconnected systems, the attack surface for cyber threats expands. Therefore, each connected device and system becomes a potential entry point for cyberattacks.”
The ICT Masterplan 2030 undertaken by the Government is also designed to ensure that the state operates on the most efficient digital platform, encompassing security and technology sectors, and covers implementation, monitoring, and evaluation processes that will address critical issues such as cybercrime.
“The plan aims to identify weaknesses in our digital systems, increase accountability, increase accountability, introduce smart policing, and deploy cutting edge security technologies to enhance online safety and fortify our nation’s cybersecurity.”
The PM also underscored that data privacy is essential as breaches can have legal and financial repercussions. Compliance with data protection regulations also becomes critical.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Security and Governance Committee at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Orson Ferguson underscored that as the economic landscape grows, the level of competitiveness and threats facing businesses need to be amplified.
With the digitization of businesses providing that competitive edge, it generates significant amounts of data to forecast demands, understand customers, and manage cash flows. However, it is imperative to protect this data.
“Unless our local businesses become more and more competitive, the unfortunate reality is that we are going to be eaten up by global competitors. There are a lot of businesses around the globe that want to operate in this country and if we’re not more competitive, we are going to get eaten up.”