Around 400 local businesses attended the cybersecurity webinar series.
The series was designed to help them learn from experts and Cybersecurity Governance Council members how to keep their businesses, IT systems, and customer information secure.
The nine-part series, consisting of monthly lunchtime and learning webinars, was hosted by the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the Department of Economic Development and the Cybersecurity Governance Council.
The government’s communications department said: “It has long been clear that businesses need to protect customer information and IT systems from online threats.
“However, since the Covid-19 pandemic, this truth has become stark. It is critical that businesses understand the potential cyber threats they face, how to mitigate them, and what the consequences are for those who commit such cyber crimes.
“In the monthly webinar series, CGB members educated attendees on all aspects of cybersecurity that could affect their small and medium-sized businesses. Participants learned essential information and skills on how to take the necessary steps to protect their systems. »
The topics in this series, while varied, were of equal importance to Bermuda-based business owners.
Ronnie Viera, chief operating officer at First Atlantic Commerce, spoke about ensuring businesses had the appropriate security measures in place.
Alex White, Bermuda’s first Privacy Commissioner and Dr. Marisa Stones, Head of the Government’s PIPA/Pati Unit, spoke about the business owner’s responsibility for privacy and privacy. customer information.
Brett Henshilwood, partner at Deloitte Bermuda, discussed supply chain attacks, and Sheridan Smith, director, management services/information technology at the Bermuda Monetary Authority, explained that cybersecurity was not a not just for online businesses.
Noel Pearman, SVP, cyber product line manager at AXA XL, showed business owners how to assess corporate privacy and security risks.
The laws of the land also had their place in the series: Steve Cosham, National Disaster Coordinator and Mr. Viera, showed the interdependence of Bermuda’s cybersecurity and critical infrastructure.
Additionally, Mark Tomlinson, Police Sergeant of Technology Services and Digital Forensics, along with Acting Chief Detective Inspector Paul Ridley, discussed Bermuda law as it relates to cybersecurity.
Mr. Viera asked business owners if they were confident that their online payment platform was secure. He then provided advice, tips and advice to help them with the investigation.
After the event, he said, “I speak on behalf of the members of the Cybersecurity Governance Council in saying that we are delighted to have participated in the webinar series over the past few months. The third objective of the national strategy concerns awareness raising and capacity building. .
“The collaboration with EDD and BEDC was therefore fully in line with what the board is striving to achieve in terms of generally heightened levels of cyber risk awareness.”
Erica Smith, Executive Director of BEDC, said, “We were thrilled to join this collaboration and deliver this series of nine webinars over nine months.
“The webinar series provided our stakeholders with valuable insight into the importance of cybersecurity, its associated benefits and potential threats. During and after the pandemic, many entrepreneurs have had to rely on the internet to maintain a connection with their customers.
“Therefore, asking industry experts to provide advice, tips and advice on what to do to protect company and customer information was timely and necessary.”
Ray Jones, Director of EDD, said: “EDD aims to advance the sustainable growth, development and diversification of Bermuda’s economy. As an increasing number of businesses make the transition to a greater focus on technology, cybersecurity becomes all the more vital to the accomplishment of our mission.”
He added: “We have been pleased with the strong turnout and success of this webinar series. We believe that developments like this are key to ensuring the overall attractiveness of the island as a jurisdiction. We are focus on Bermuda being a global leader in technology and proper cybersecurity practices are fundamental to ensuring that sustainable developments can be achieved in our economy.”
Ronnie Viera, Chief Operating Officer at First Atlantic Commerce (photo provided)
Dr Marisa Stones, Head of Pipa/Pati Government Unit (Photograph provided)
Ray Jones, Director of Bermuda Department of Economic Development, Government of Bermuda (photo provided)
Alex White: Bermuda Privacy Commissioner (photo provided)
Noel Pearman, SVP, Head of Cyber Product Line, AXA XL (photo provided)
Sheridan Smith, Director, Management Services/Information Technology at the Bermuda Monetary Authority, (Photograph provided)