As cyber threats surge and digital vulnerabilities widen, the Caribbean must act urgently to safeguard its digital landscape. That was the resounding message at CaribNOG 29, held in Turks and Caicos from April 8–9, where experts stressed the growing need for regional digital resilience.
The two-day event, hosted by the Turks and Caicos Islands Telecommunications Commission(TCI-TC), brought together over 60 technology experts, government officials, business leaders, and telecom regulators under the theme “Strengthening Digital Resilience.” The forum addressed a range of escalating digital challenges—from cybercrime and ransomware to infrastructure fragility—affecting the Caribbean.
Delivering the keynote address, Bevil Wooding, co-founder of CaribNOG and Director of Caribbean Affairs at the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN), emphasised the scale and urgency of the issue. He cited a staggering global estimate: cybercrime is projected to cost $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. Within the Caribbean, over 60% of businesses have reported being targeted by cyberattacks, yet fewer than 20% have formal cybersecurity policies in place.
“At the core of digital resilience is human capacity,” said Wooding. “Firewalls can’t replace foresight, and technology can’t substitute for trained people. Our greatest asset in confronting the threats facing the Caribbean will be our ability to collaborate, innovate, and act with a unified purpose.”
Wooding also underscored the importance of digital sovereignty, urging investment in resilient infrastructure, strong data protection policies, and governance frameworks developed by and for Caribbean people.
The Hon. Otis Morris, Minister of Public Safety, Utilities, and the Telecommunications Commission for the Turks and Caicos Islands, echoed the call for collective regional action.
“A resilient digital ecosystem is no longer a luxury—it is an essential necessity,” said Minister Morris. “Our government is fully committed to supporting efforts to modernise and expand national telecommunications infrastructure. I commend CaribNOG for its unwavering commitment to regional development and for placing cybersecurity and technical education at the forefront of its agenda.”
Kenva Williams, Director General of the TCI Telecommunications Commission, highlighted the critical need to boost local infrastructure and technical capacity. He named the establishment of a local Internet Exchange Point (IXP) as a national priority, with the goal of improving connectivity, reducing latency, and cutting operational costs. Williams also advocated for the creation of a local Network Operators Group (NOG) to empower IT professionals and ensure long-term digital sustainability.
“We must grow talent and invest in local technical capacity to future-proof our nation and reduce our digital dependence,” Williams stated.
The urgency of the discussions was underscored by the December 2024 cyberattack on the TCI Government, which caused major disruptions to public services and exposed significant vulnerabilities in the territory’s digital infrastructure. The incident has intensified calls for the development of a comprehensive National Cybersecurity Plan.
In addition to Wooding, CaribNOG 29 featured presentations from a distinguished lineup of regional and international experts, including:
· Stephe Lee, CEO, Arkitechs Inc. (USA)
· Dr. Clair Craig, Director of Research and Stakeholder Engagement, CaribNOG
· Albert Daniels, Senior Engagement Manager, ICANN
· Brad Gorman, Senior Product Owner, Routing Security, ARIN
· Richard Wall, Chief Technology Officer, Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions
· Cora Malcolm, Chief Technology Officer, Provo Water Company
· Cathrice James-Williams, Director of IT, TCI Financial Services Commission
Since its founding in 2009, CaribNOG has evolved into the Caribbean’s premier volunteer-based community of network engineers and IT professionals. The organisation plays a pivotal role in advancing regional technical capacity, promoting cybersecurity best practices, and strengthening partnerships across Latin America, North America, and the Pacific.
CaribNOG 29 concluded with a united message: the time to act is now. Regional governments, private sector organisations, and technology communities must work together to build a secure, resilient digital future for the Caribbean.
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