The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) successfully hosted the final workshop to develop a Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) Establishment Plan on January 21, 2025, at its headquarters in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. This initiative underscores CARICOM IMPACS’ unwavering commitment to advancing regional cybersecurity and supporting the digital transformation of CARICOM Member States.

The development of the CIRT Establishment Plan is a key component of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)-led Caribbean Digital Transformation Project, launched in 2020. The Plan is specifically designed for OECS countries, including Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It outlines the common needs, objectives, and services a national CIRT should provide, along with its governance structure, constituency, and required resources.

The workshop served as a platform to present the CIRT Establishment Plan Report, explore implementation strategies, address stakeholder concerns, and foster collaboration. The Report provides a strategic framework to enhance cybersecurity resilience across the OECS, enabling a unified and proactive response to digital threats.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lt. Col. Michael Jones, Executive Director of CARICOM IMPACS, highlighted the critical importance of the initiative. “The establishment of national CIRTs across the OECS is vital to safeguarding the Region’s digital infrastructure and aligns seamlessly with CARICOM’s Cyber Security and Cybercrime Action Plan. This project builds capacity, strengthens legal frameworks, and promotes international cooperation, ensuring our resilience against evolving cyber threats,” he stated.

He further emphasized, “This initiative represents an investment in the Region’s digital future, offering protection for critical services and sensitive data while enhancing our collective ability to respond to cyber threats.”

The one-day workshop brought together representatives from the OECS, CARICOM IMPACS, national CIRTs, beneficiary countries, NRD Cyber Security (a leading cybersecurity firm based in Lithuania), and the Organization of American States (OAS).