Cyber Security for Your Business…If Not Now Then When?
July 28th, 2022
Caribbean Cyber Security Centre and SIFT Inc. (CCSC|SIFT)
There has been a tremendous increase in cybercriminal activity in Trinidad and Tobago and by extension the Caribbean. This increase has been so glaring that we don’t have to quote statistics or do extensive research to find the evidence. Just review the news from the last two to three months and the effects of cyber-attacks in Trinidad and Tobago can be easily found. In fact, let’s look at the last two years.
In October 2020, Ansa McAL reported that it was a victim of a ransomware attack with its Tatil Life Insurance operations disrupted for approximately two (2) weeks. In an April 29th 2022 interview with the Sunday Express, Angus Smith, Manager of the Trinidad and Tobago Cyber Security Incident Response Team (TT-CSIRT) stated that “over 2,600 Government e-mail accounts have been found in third party data breaches from 2008 to 2021.” The day before that interview, on April 28th 2022, Massy Stores reported that they were cyber attacked. This incident lead to the closure of all twenty-three (23) of their branches. Five days before the Massy Stores incident, on April 24th 2022, US-based logistics company Aeropost advised its customers in Trinidad and Tobago that their credit card information may have been breached.
The Proof is in the Pudding
The above-mentioned incidents and timelines should be more than enough proof that companies in Trinidad and Tobago are being attacked by cybercriminals and have been affected for quite some time. These cases have been reported in the public domain but according to Smith in his interview with Sunday Express on April 29th, “cyber-attacks are under reported” in Trinidad and Tobago. Many businesses choose not to report incidents that may have affected them.
Within the last 5 years CCSC|SIFT has responded to and dealt with over thirty (30) cyber security incidents right here in the Caribbean. The proof as they say is in the pudding. Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean businesses are constantly under cyber-attacks. So, what can you do to protect your business?
You Need A Plan
In our experience, many businesses are neglecting to establish a proper Cyber Security Management Plan. While many institutions are acknowledging the importance of having cyber security measures established, many are not aware of the need to establish a management plan that will govern their overall cyber security response systems. Cyber security threats should not be treated in isolation. A company can find itself attempting to remedy an incident and as soon as that incident has been remedied, another point of vulnerability can be accessed by bad actors. Your business needs a robust approach to cyber security that will give you an overall view of its weaknesses and guide you as to how best all of those vulnerable areas can be secured. We recommend starting this process by assessing your business’ level of risk.
Get a Free Cyber Security Risk Assessment for Your Business
CCSC|SIFT is offering businesses in Trinidad and Tobago a free Cyber Security Risk Assessment on our website at www.caribbeancsc.com/cybersecuritytt. Using our experience in protecting Caribbean businesses and institutions, we ask just six (6) questions in order to test a business’ cyber security risk. We invite you to click the link and answer these questions. If you have answered no to more than one (1), your company is at risk for a cyber-attack.
Avoid Loss and Downtime
Massy Stores, Aeropost and Ansa McAL being the unfortunate targets for cybercriminals, have all experienced significant loss and downtime. In at least two (2) of these three (3) cases stores had to be closed or operations stopped. No one wants to see the operations of their business come to a sudden halt. No business means:
- no revenue
- loss of sensitive data
- loss of customers and customer/investor confidence
- loss of market share
- increased operating cost
Avoid the loss by knowing your risk and planning to address those risks as soon as possible.
CCSC|SIFT is the first of its kind cyber security partnership in the Caribbean between regional and international accredited consultants. Based in Barbados, we have over 25 years’ experience in ICT specializing in enterprise vulnerability management, penetration testing, cyber security strategic planning, information security program development, digital forensics and incident response. During our more than 25-year existence we have served and continue to serve both public and private sector institutions in thirteen (13) Caribbean countries.
Being from the region means that we are familiar with both the technological landscape and frameworks that Caribbean businesses utilize and are built on. Our Cyber Security Support Services are based on international standards like ISO 27001 and are customized to the needs of local and regional businesses.
Want to protect your business? Visit www.caribbeancsc.com/cybersecuritytt to get more information and take the free Cyber Security Risk Assessment.
Deon Olton B.S.c CEH
ICT/Cyber Security Lead Consultant
Caribbean Cyber Security Centre
Tel: 1-246-232-9009
Email: [email protected]
