Jamaica has seen a significant 78% reduction in attempted cyberattacks between January and June 2024, dropping from over 19 million to just over 4 million compared to the same period in 2023. Despite this positive trend, Lieutenant Colonel Godfrey Sterling, head of the Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (JaCIRT), warns the country to stay vigilant. He credits the reduction to better monitoring of vulnerable Internet protocol (IP) addresses, but stresses that ransomware remains a serious threat. Sterling highlights that while cyberattacks are fewer, they have become more targeted and sophisticated, requiring continued vigilance and cybersecurity efforts, especially as Jamaica and the Caribbean face resource constraints compared to developed nations. The ongoing global observance of Cybersecurity Awareness Month emphasizes building resilience and securing the nation’s digital infrastructure.
