KINGSTON, Jamaica – Following the recent cyber attack on the JamaicaEye system, Dr Andre Haughton, the opposition spokesperson on commerce, technology, and innovation, is calling on the government to allocate the necessary resources to address cybersecurity threats and implement effective solutions.

Haughton emphasised that these attacks highlight the vulnerabilities that the nation faces in the digital age.

“I write to you today with deep concern regarding the recent hacking of the Jamaica Eye website, marking the fourth occurrence of a government website breach in recent times,” he said.

“Realistically speaking, Jamaica has not invested as much as it should in cyber security infrastructure for public bodies. This issue is not unique to Jamaica Eye. In fact, all government ministries, departments, and agencies’ websites and cybercrime preventative measures are deficient,” he added.

The Ministry of National Security confirmed on Sunday that a “cyber-incident” has impacted access to the JamaicaEye website.

According to the ministry, there has been no compromise to video footage or evidence recorded by the JamaicaEye cameras.

READ: JamaicaEye hit by cyber attack – Security Ministry

According to Haughton, with the advent of the Data Protection Act, which will come into effect at the end of this year, there are government bodies that have vulnerabilities in their websites, making them less secure and incapable of adequately protecting citizens’ information.

The opposition spokesperson also proposed several mechanisms and solutions to enhance the security of the country’s digital infrastructure.

1. Strengthening Firewall and Intrusion Detection Systems: This, Haughton says will help safeguard networks against unauthorised access and malicious activities by continuously monitoring network traffic and identifying suspicious behavior.

2. Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Haughton noted that this adds an additional layer of security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of authentication, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorised access, even if passwords are compromised.

3. Conducting Regular Security Audits and Vulnerability Assessments: The Oppsoiton Spokesperson said this will proactively identifying weaknesses and potential entry points for hackers on government websites and systems.

4. Providing Continuous Employee Training and Awareness: Educating government employees about common cyber threats, safe browsing practices, and how to identify and report suspicious activities. Well-informed employees serve as a vital line of defense against cyber-attacks, Haughton noted.

5. Establishing Encrypted Communication Channels: Implementing end-to-end encryption for sensitive communications, both within the government and with the public, to ensure that data remains confidential and protected from interception.

6. Developing a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan: This plan should outline clear procedures for detecting, analyzing, containing, and mitigating cyber threats. It should also establish effective communication channels to notify relevant stakeholders and the public in the event of a breach.

7. Collaborating with Cybersecurity Experts: Engaging with cybersecurity experts, both locally and internationally, to fortify digital infrastructure. Haughton highlighted that these experts can help identify emerging threats, implement best practices, and leverage their knowledge to enhance our cybersecurity capabilities.