Security officials from several Caribbean countries are meeting here exchanging knowledge and developing effective approaches to prevent, investigate, and respond to cybercrime across borders.
The event, organised by Colombia, has brought together security officials from Curaçao, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Aruba, Suriname, and Jamaica.
‘Technology has become inseparable from virtually every dimension of modern life. The same technology that creates opportunity and accelerates development can also be exploited by the criminal actors to conceal their identity, target victims, steal information, move illicit proceeds, recruit accomplices, and coordinate criminal activities across the future,’ said Belize Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado.
Captain Jose Alejandro Reyes Duque said that there are several topics that have been prepared for this exchange of knowledge.
‘One of the emerging technologies is cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, and ransomware, which is the kidnapping of information, one of the most aggressive forms of attack in the world today.
‘We have identified that in many countries, this type of modalities or crimes are very common and use the same techniques regardless of the country,’ he added.
Rosado said that one of the main things that the conference is looking forward to, apart from building capacity, is sharing best practises and developing networks.
Retired Rear Admiral,Elton Bennett said ‘we also have seven different countries participating in this activity, which will definitely be good opportunities for us to engage with them as well’.
The policy advisor in cybersecurity in Suriname, Franklyn Maanster said that cybercriminals are always a step ahead, ‘so that’s why this kind of workshop, it lets us see our weaknesses and also our strengths’.