Cybersecurity awareness campaign will be launched this month

The Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (MSTEM) will, this month, launch its cybersecurity awareness campaign dubbed 'Stop. Think. Connect.'

The Jamaica Bankers' Association, through a number of its member groups, is partnering with the Government on the campaign, which will sensitise Jamaicans to the threat of cybercrimes and encourage persons to develop safe practices while using the Internet.

Addressing a recent JIS think tank, state minister in the ministry Julian Robinson said that the Government had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Stop. Think. Connect. messaging convention, which is an international movement for cybersecurity.

The campaign aims to encourage persons to be more vigilant about practising safe online habits; to work to ensure that Internet safety and security is perceived as a shared responsibility at home, in the workplace, and throughout communities; and to strive to transform the way the public and private sectors and the Government collaborate to make cybersecurity a reality.

Robinson said that the website stopthinkconnect.org.jm is up and would be made live before the end of the week.

The website, customised to suit the Jamaican market, will include safety tips and resources that people can utilise at home, work, or wherever they use the Internet.

As part of the initiative, brochures, posters, audiovisual materials, and awareness tip sheets will be placed in schools and banks, as well as other public spaces.

Robinson told JIS News that the campaign was part of a four-pronged strategy that the Government was undertaking to protect Jamaica's online space.

Other measures include the technical strategy, which is the training of government officers in cybersecurity; the legal strategy, which involves the passing of cybersecurity legislation; and capacity building to entail the hiring and training of key cybersecurity personnel.