Cyber threats transcend institutional mandates and jurisdictional boundaries, making the strengthening of national capacity a direct catalyst for regional resilience. Harmonised frameworks, shared intelligence and trusted coordination channels are the essential pillars required to secure the Caribbean’s digital architecture.

This was the view of Mrs. Candy Saunders-Alfred, Cyber Analyst, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), who was addressing participants at the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project’s (CARDTP) “Safer Cyber Spaces” initiative. The in-person institutional session was held on 26 March 2026, at the Financial Centre in St. Lucia, under the theme: “Strengthening Digital Hygiene, Institutional Resilience and Public Trust”, and forms part of CARDTP’s Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Public Awareness Campaign, being implemented in collaboration with the CARICOM IMPACS and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission with fundingfrom the World Bank. The initiative seeks to strengthen cyber security awareness, promote safe digital practices and support institutional readiness across participating Eastern Caribbean States.

The engagement brought together Permanent Secretaries, senior civil servants and cyber security experts to translate digital awareness into sustained operational practice.

Mrs. Saunders-Alfred emphasised that cyber security has evolved beyond a technical niche into a fundamental pillar of public trust and service delivery. “Cyber resilience is built not only through technology, but through institutional readiness. Clear roles, disciplined digital hygiene and effective inter-agency coordination determine how well our institutions respond when incidents occur. Strengthening national capacity contributes directly to our collective regional resilience”, she stated.

She encouraged participants to view cyber security as a core governance responsibility, noting that the commitments made during this session will have a lasting impact on how Caribbean organisations protect citizens and uphold public confidence in the digital age.

Ms. Claudia McDowell, Communications Specialist, OECS Commission, said that as OECS Member States accelerate digital transformation and expand online public services, the public sector’s exposure to cyber risks increases.

“The challenges identified through CARDTP research, such as uneven application of standards, unclear roles and responsibilities, inconsistent reporting and fragmented coordination, are not unique to any one Member State. They are shared across our Region and addressing them requires shared solutions”, she explained.

Ms. McDowell added that the session provides the platform for practical, scenario-informed learning and structured dialogue that will help translate awareness into sustained operational practice. “Strengthening institutional cyber resilience is not only a national priority for St. Lucia, but a regional imperative for sustainable digital development”, she reiterated.

Mrs. Sheralin Monrose-Gustave, Project Manager, CARDTP, St. Lucia, explained that the project and its partners are working collectively to build a safer and more secure digital Caribbean by strengthening awareness, institutional capacity and coordinated response mechanisms.

“This campaign extends beyond institutions and also targets youth, women, seniors and businesses, reinforcing the message that cyber security is a shared societal responsibility”, she noted.

She added that partnerships are critical in ensuring a coordinated and harmonised regional approach to cyber security, as the Region works together to strengthen resilience and response across Member States.

The St. Lucia session marked the inaugural engagement in a regional series, with subsequent sessions scheduled for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Dominica.