‘Cybersecurity Is Critical To Future Prosperity’

September 20, 2017

Minister Wayne Caines Bermuda Sept 2017Cybersecurity is critical to our future prosperity and security” as the “evolution of technology has fundamentally changed our security landscape, Minister of National Security Wayne Caines said today.

Speaking during the opening of the Cybersecurity Framework Workshop at BUEI, Minister Caines said, “On behalf of the Government of Bermuda, it is my great pleasure to welcome you today to what will surely be an informative and stimulating event.

“Cybersecurity is critical to our future prosperity and security. The evolution of technology has fundamentally changed our security landscape.

“Today, we rely on interconnected virtual information networks for nearly everything we do in our personal, business, and public service lives. While this undoubtedly benefits our lives in many ways, it also carries risks.

“We are vulnerable to cyberattacks from malicious actors, and today, these actors can be anyone, and they can come from anywhere. Small-time con artists trying to make a few bitcoins or steal personal data can disrupt government institutions.

“What are the threats:

  • 1] Point of Sale Intrusions – implanting some malware on retailers credit card processing system.
  • 2] Web Applications Attacks- gaining access to applications on a company’s server, like phising and spear phising, finding code vulnerabilities;
  • 3] Software Vulnerability or Zero Day Attacks- hole in the software unknown to vendor, hackers install malware on the server before the vendor fixes it. As Microsoft learned, with the Black Energy Malware Vairant;
  • 4] Cyber- Espionage Attacks- the Russians and Chinese- elections and attacks WB;
  • 5] Card Skimmers – device installed on ATM;
  • 6] Misuse of Passwords and Privileges;
  • 7] Wiperware Attacks- desgined to erase data from a PC File-server, hard drives and delete the Master boot record. Simply put wiper malware can wipe away all the data on multiple servers infected at a target company;
  • 8] Distributed Denial of Service [DDos] Attacks- Hackers have used to wreak havoc in US and UK companies is the DDos attack- creating botnets an army of computers, that attack a particular website, these attacks tie up bandwidth and cripple networks for hours and have the company off line for hours if not days. As seen with the Lizard Squad on Christmas Day crippled Sony and Microsoft gaming networks on Christmas Day;

“National Security strategies now even refer to ‘script kiddies’ as possible threats – people, even some children, who are just technically sophisticated enough to wreak havoc with someone else’s programme,” Minister Caines continued.

“It is now difficult to avoid new stories of companies, or municipalities, or countries, suffering damage from cyber incidents. Companies fold or face millions of dollars in fines, while municipalities suffer from power outages, or citizens are denied access to services they need.

“There can be no doubt that cybersecurity is a critically important issue that all Bermudians must take seriously. Indeed, without strong cybersecurity awareness and preparedness, our safety, economic prosperity, and national security is at risk. This includes:

  • 1] Finance
  • 2] Retail
  • 3] Accommodation [hotels and motels
  • 4] Professional Services Firms [law firms and accounting firms]
  • 5] Health Care-
  • 6] Educational Institutions

“It is therefore my view that we – and by “we” I mean those of us in the Government as well as those in the private and third sectors – share a responsibility to ensure that we are well-prepared to identify and manage cybersecurity risks, wherever they are and whenever they appear.

“And we need to be aware and practice cyber safe behaviors at home as well.

“At the organizational level, one of the most effective ways to achieve cybersecurity preparedness is to adopt a cybersecurity framework, and that is to be the focus of our workshop today.

“Some of you may already be aware of the Government’s cybersecurity efforts. Our Cybersecurity Working group, which is comprised of private and public sector ICT and security professionals, is auditing the cybersecurity preparedness landscape of Bermuda.

“We are also working through the Cybersecurity Cabinet Committee, under my chairmanship, to address and attempt to mitigate cybersecurity risks to the Bermuda Government.

“To consistently evaluate and update our cybersecurity measures, we have adopted the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Cybersecurity Framework. As you will see, the NIST Framework has much to offer, and it is well worth considering as a starting point for achieving cybersecurity preparedness.

“It is important to adopt an internationally-recognised, industry standard framework for the sake of proper cybersecurity planning and proper risk management, rather than to have no framework at all.

“We are a globally recognised jurisdiction in International Finance, Business, Law, we have are considered one of the richest countries in the world. We must now all work to ensure that we have the necessary elements in place to protect and secure our key infrastructure and businesses. You represent that new vanguard.

“Let’s work together ensure we raise and keep the standards of Cybersecurity at the requisite levels.”

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Comments (24)

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  1. nerema says:

    I wonder who wrote that for him.

    • Lol says:

      Y would a former telecommunications CEO and a consultant for the same field that deals with these IT themes need someone to write his speech. U OBA trolls are past ridiculous. I know what u was trying to imply with that comment. U all continue to show is there is 2 Bermudas

    • Breathe says:

      seriously ? There’s so much to unpack in that statement. Like every minister before him, that was probably written by a civil servant. What’s probably eating you is that as the former CEO of a telecommunications company you know he could’ve written it himself. Doesn’t quite fit the narrative does it ?

    • Onion Juice says:

      I guess de same people who wrote for Dunks and SpongeBob.

    • I'm full ... says:

      Why do you ask? Did you agree or disagree with its content?

    • @nerema get a life says:

      All Ministers have technical officers,Permanent Secretaries as well as the Department of Communications to assist with documents and speaking opportunites. This ensures the best representation for our island. Also after on 2 and a half months on the job the learning curve would be very steep. If you at all understood how the real world worked you would understand it is common practice in all countries for political leaders to have others write or prepare critical documents.

      As a matter of fact you would be hard pressed to find one juristiction that does not rely on professional assistance when it comes to writing major documents and specifically speeches.

      Nerma, get a life it is clear you are drinking from a half empty cup of bitters.

      It should be noted as a former lawyer and Former CEO of a telcom, preparing documents and speaking should not be a major challenge for the Minister but collaboration works best from Bermuda.

    • nerema? says:

      why are you wondering? is the information relevant, timely and useful. Small minded and petty!

    • Really? says:

      I have never commented in this forum before but feel compelled to do so in response to the continued denigration of the abilities of the black male in particular and the black population in general. Why did you not ask who wrote Jeff Baron’s speeches when he was in the same position? You are obviously not well versed enough in political and governmental affairs to know that there are people whose job is to provide information, speaking points, and details for ministers when they are speaking at these kinds of events. And – believe or not – he could have written the speech himself! But then again, how could this little black boy have the education, oratatorial skills and the knowledge to make such a great speech! When will you accept that we are capable of anything you are capable of?

      • Double S says:

        Every time an OBA Minister/Senator/Representative write an article the first comment from the PLP talking heads were, ‘who wrote that for her/him?’

        Check the record if you dare..

    • ovitsop says:

      A good read, regardless.

    • FYI says:

      Feeling threatened, Nerema? It hurts you to see a knowledgeable brother. Thanks for indirectly acknowledging that what the Minister had to say was of value.

    • nerema says:

      Well suddenly everyone is perfectly fine with the Premier not writing his own speeches. Good to know. Yet whenever Cannonier made a speech you were sarcastic and scathing, implying he couldn’t string a sentence together without the help of a speech writer.
      Yet again, a double standard when it comes to the PLP.

  2. Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

    You guys make me holla bie!…y’all playing games and don’t have clue…just like children…did it ever occur in your brain that maybe he was reading an international cyber security advisory sent out to ALL regions of the globe…which can be edited minimally to become regional friendly…y’all need to cut it!

  3. BustedTheEconomyStartinNew says:

    Some folks wear their halos much too tight.

  4. Jose says:

    He did not sound as clued in live on tv as this

  5. Micro says:

    It’s an area of information systems that pays really well and is devoid of Bermudian talent. Was never an area that was promoted when I was in school.

  6. BustedTheEconomyStartinNew says:

    Of the eight threats above, have we seen examples of all eight? How widespread have previous breaches been? What sectors have been targeted the most in Bermuda? How prevevelent are attacks personal and home users?

    What are the most cost effective ways of dealing with this, across the various sectors?

  7. @nerema get a life says:

    let’s check something:

    Jeff Baron JP MP

    Education and experience: High School, Police Officer 12 years Head of Security at Tuckers Point Senator now MP

    Wayne Caines: BA history/Political Science, LLB honors Sandhurst Military Royal Queen’s Commissioner, worked Lawyer, Officer in Royal Bermuda Regiment, Senator Chief of Staff to Premier, CEO of Digicel, Head of Seniac Consulting (telecoms company)
    sought after speaker around the world for the last 10 years probably has over 50 local speaking engagements locally yearlyand in his own country someone would say, who wrote that….. speaks to the a sad story in Bermuda, why, because Senator Baron was never questioned as to who wrote his speeches?

    • nerema says:

      Odd that you fail to mention Mr Baron’s Master’s Degree in Criminology and his work at Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School of Government. I guess it would have made your point easier if his resume had been how you described it. But then again getting to the whole truth is almost impossible when it comes to the PLP.

      Odd as well that you didn’t notice the catcalls every time Cannonier made a speech, with people continually asking “who wrote that”.

      Selective memory and double standards.

      • nerema? huh says:

        please let us know when did Mr. Baron Get a Master’s degree and from and when ? also what work did he do at Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School of Government for how long and what did that entail.

        this should be interesting!

    • Um.... says:

      BOOM!

  8. aceboy says:

    GP7 parked out front with a sign saying “Reserved for the Minister of National Security”. These guys love the pomp. I wanted to grab that sign and write “‘CAUSE HIS SO SPASHUL”.

    You would actually gain some respect if you simply parked in the lot and walked the 30 steps to where the car was parked.

  9. nerema? huh says:

    also while we are at it prey tell, does jeff have a Bachelor’s as well?