The Jamaican Government created an information and communications technology authority. Its mission is to provide a single voice (also known as the leadership) and framework to improve the delivery of information and communication services across the public sector.
The organisation, which was established by The ICT Authority Act 2019, began operation this year.
The ICT Authority’s functions include: a) developing and implementing a national ICT strategy that is in alignment with the country’s development goals; b) establishing and enforcing ICT policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure the effective and efficient use of ICT resources; c) providing shared ICT services to government ministries, departments, and agencies, to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery; and d) promoting digital transformation across the government.
Items c) and d) increase the potential impact of illegal intrusions. If one part of the digital system is compromised, it can expose sensitive information across multiple organisations, cause disruption, and trigger actions for infringement of privacy rights. The Data Protection Act imposes onerous duties on…
