Online transactions have increased significantly because of the restrictions brought on my COVID. With the increase in transactions come with an increase in cybercrimes. The Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (Ja-CIRT) is urging persons to be extra vigilant to guard against cyberthreat.

“From schools to businesses and even the hustlers on the streets, everyone is going online; therefore, the potential number of cybercrime victims has increased exponentially since the early days of the pandemic,”

Head of Ja-CIRT, Lieutenant Colonel Godphey Sterling, shared.

He said that the government continues to develop a robust cybersecurity framework geared at protecting the nation’s interests, and noted that the partnership of citizens and businesses is critical in order to ensure the effectiveness of the measures.

“The Government is committed to building a safe digital Jamaica as cyberspace changes daily and the world enters the fourth industrial revolution. However, citizens must be able to monitor threats and make the requisite early warnings,”

Lt. Col. Sterling made a special appeal for parents and guardians to monitor their children’s activities online as they engage in digital learning.

“Children can be considered the most vulnerable members of society, so it is up to us to protect them even in cyberspace. Ensure you have discussions with your children about their online activities; let them know to avoid clicking strange links and engaging with strangers on the Internet,”

he encouraged.