Local consultant warns of lurking danger of attacks; says critical agencies should be protected
By Jenique Belgrave
This island’s critical infrastructure, including its water, health and food systems, are at high risk of cyber threats, says Data Privacy and Management Advisory Services Principal Consultant Steven Williams.
“If I have to say a level exposure out of 10, I would probably say that our risk is around seven or eight,” he said, while speaking to the media on Thursday afternoon at Hilton Barbados on the recent cyberattacks that severely-impacted services at the island’s main medical institution and a credit union.
Identifying the airport, Barbados Port Authority, Barbados Water Authority (BWA), Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) and other vital agencies as critical infrastructure, he said the largest cybersecurity concern for Barbados must be the protection of these entities.
He suggested that information be shared within this group to create a common baseline upon which to build more resilience.
“I think the biggest problem is that we aren’t communicating or talking. So the hospital isn’t talking to the port, the port isn’t talking to (Barbados) Light & Power…
