Minister for information, telecommunication and constituency empowerment, Ambrose George, is concerned that while advancement in technology augers well for the continued development of communities and economies there has been the corresponding dark side to the internet.
“There are dangerous cyber criminals who are intent on defrauding and damaging not only individuals and organizations but have the ability and the know how to create havoc to national economies and electronic infrastructure to the detriment of countries irrespective of their size or gross domestic product,” George said at the opening of a workshop geared at developing a policy and strategy for cyber security in Dominica.
According to George, since cyber crimes pose a major threat it has become necessary to develop and provide legal and regulatory mechanisms to deter such activities.
“One of the main challenges associated with technology is the fact that offenses can be committed on a global basis with such speed and anonymity which if left unchecked, threatens the viability of economic well being of industries, and the very existence of small nation states like Dominica,” he noted.
George pointed out that there is an urgent need for law enforcement personnel, technical security experts, policy makers, academia, industry professionals and other governmental and community stakeholders to work collaboratively and cohesively to develop a comprehensive national, regional and international approach to the issue of cyber crimes.
In the meantime, Representative for the Organization of American States, Brian Ditto, remarked that Dominica is at the forefront in trying to improve cyber resilience.
“Currently there are only three states in Latin America and the Caribbean that have a national cyber security strategy; Colombia, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago,” he noted. “In this respect Dominica really is at the forefront of certain cyber security efforts and not just talking about in the Eastern Caribbean, but in the world.”
Minister for National Security Alvin Bernard noted that the workshop is timely and intended to support developments done by the government of Dominica to keep abreast of emerging cyber activity.
“It is my hope therefore that the outcomes of this workshop will significantly enhance the policy and regulatory framework. The implications of cyber crime are at a global state and individual levels and by extension the survival of our democracy as we know it and public safety has to be considered,” he stated.
The week-long workshop, which is being held at the Fort Young Hotel, also aims to establish a national Cyber Security Incident Response Team (CERT) in Dominica.
Internet was established in the world to make it easier for us, businesses and personal and make us somewhat happy. While I view it as necessary, it has proved to be more of a headache.
Financial institutions who placed customers private and confidential matters on the internet want them to purchase security to protect their files. I am doing no such thing. I did not ask any financial institution to place my personal information on the internet. Let them pay for this protection. I file nothing personal on the Internet.
Then there are many business enterprises who have now outsourced to foreign countries. When we think we are making a local call and talking to someone locally, they are in a foreign country. Our files and personal information are opened to identity theft. Much more could be stated about that.
Many people have embraced the Internet as if it is their personal filing cabinets. They file everything possible on it. Not me! So far I refuse to conduct business over the Internet. If per chance I have to access the Internet for a private matter, the government and/or a corporation, they ensure that their Website is secure. I wonder.
Recently we had a situation in Canada/Toronto for that matter which affected government files, other businesses including internet providers. We were informed not to use the internet for a week. I wonder how many people knew of this if they are not avid news listeners and readers.
Canada Revenue had its Website hacked. The name of this new one was called “Bleeding Heart.” It was a real bleeding heart all right. I saved as much of the information I could have saved on this matter.
Canada Revenue reported that approximately 900 income tax files were compromised. The fear is identity theft. I hope mine was not among them. This government agency stated that those affected will be notified only by registered mail for confidential and privacy reasons and that they will provide funds to those affected to purchase internet security for their business, confidential files.
An investigation was conducted and it was not long after a young man, 19-years of age was arrested. He resides out of Toronto. I have not heard whether he was granted bail. As with the news, we hear such matters and then we never hear about them again or not for a long time.
I hope he will be imprisoned for a long time. I view him as idle and wicked and up to no good. Interfering with government files is an extremely serious matter. People do not mess around with the government.
Some months ago I heard on TV that a hacker who was arrested and was imprisoned said that people are foolish to utilize the internet for personal causes. I took note of it. They will always be at it.
Those who follow the news will know as it is stated, they hack information, names and addresses, etc., and they sell them for exorbitant sums of money. People steal and use their identity in this manner. It takes years to restore their identity and to convince the government that they were (are) the same people. This is a real bleeding heart and causes much anxiety and stress. When your identity is stolen, you are considered a nobody without a name and a country.
Most people today file their income tax return via the internet. They either purchased an income tax package or get it free by a Canada Revenue recommended Website. They must qualify for the latter according to their income. Internet is the fastest method of filing our income tax but how safe is it. I have a feeling that probably one of those Websites which were recommended may have been hacked.
There is a price to pay for technologies and ever-increasing ones. Everyone has a reason to be concerned. Who knows how many spies there are over the internet who are reading our comments? This is why we must be careful how we utilize it, where we access and what we state while on it. It could also be an inside job.
My advice to hackers and spies, “You will pay for your actions someday.” God knows who you are, what you are doing and what you are up to. He is watching and taking note. You will not escape his just wrath and punishment as you deserve. If you know what is good for you, cease your wicked deeds immediately or else brace yourself to pay the everlasting price for causing your fellow people much pain, stress and hardships. What goes around comes around in time.
The Government can give me a job to install 7 proxies for them.
Poor Amby , I feel sorry for you , Joshua is so far ahead of you , he can’t even see what’s behind him . Just give up Mr. Ambrose Pleaseeeeeee.
The Internet is like a man growing herbs in his back hard. He got his n u got yours. U give a man the freedom to do something (like cybercrime) cuz u cant fix your techno problems and he broke, well he gonna use his skills cuz its for free. Well change the law towards your mistaken identity. U think I can walk into a bank and steal money. And if I do cuz a bill fell on the floor whose fault is it. Tighten up your game and blame your lack of techno acumen cuz u cant afford to pay an expert hacker to fix your problems, and get robbed cuz u slack. Slackness causes looting which is what I smell. Them a loot, them a loot out d place. Technology brings with it a lack of privacy which is a by product of its efficiency.
Just by reading the news headline, I laughed and laughed… Of all people AG, is worried by Cyber Crimes. Lol Lol Lol Lol.
Why do you laugh? It is said, “Fools laugh at themselves.” He has every reason to be concerned. Cyber crimes are a reality and are rampant all over the world. There are some who are idle and wicked. Satan finds some mischief for idle hands to do. One day they will pay for their wickedness.
.. And, can it be? In which other country in the world does a minister of government summarily dismissed for alleged money laundering, only to be reinstated by a new party leader, then dismissed again for allegedly being naive enough for falling prey to internet email scams, and then unbelievably reinstated again by the same leader, have the nerve to lecture nationals about internet crime and “the dark side of the internet? Is he lecturing from his “sorry I did it won’t do it again pulpit” or from his “burnt child dreads the fire pulpit?
Ambrose you are SHAMELESS we Papa God!
After about20 years as Parl Rep, can you list your accomplishments in Roseau South?
so Corriette talking about CERT – that means one thing whilre Ambrose CERT means another thing what kind of thing is that nuh- two kinds of CERT in one week
“There are dangerous cyber criminals who are intent on defrauding and damaging not only individuals and organizations but have the ability and the know how to create havoc to”( Ambrose George).
What is the point of all this useless talking, You George no anyone in Dominica is in any position, to do anything about cyber criminals. You do not have any say in that nor do you have the technology to combat any cyber criminals.
The only advised you might be able to give to the citizens of Dominica is to be careful with the information about themselves they reveal the Internet, other than that you are powerless to do anything. Many Dominicans are also involved in scamming people on the Internet, whether they reside in Dominica or England and North America.
I know Dominicans who have lost plenty of money on the Internet because they are so gullible, one you give your personal information out to people yo do not know via the Internet,it is all over for you, whatever is write on your computer it is forever recorded on the hardrive of the computer, simply deleting what you write does not clean it from you computer, and not only that it is in the database of lots of search engines. It is never deleted.
Rather than pretending that you are so concerned about what you have no power over, and never will have; I suggest you concentrate on the simple matters on Dominica, starting arguing about why “we”meaning you and the government shut down the International Airport which the UWP was building, and ask yourself where is the University of Louisiana you went on Radio and Television in Dominica claiming was the first of many you and the Labor Party was bring to Dominica.
Let me remind you of your very own words: “we did not know what hit us.” Remember that statement, you made it after the officials at the Louisiana university stated nation wide on Television in the United States, that they had no plans to build or bring a university to the island of Dominica.
You people cannot resolve the small issues in our country, so what’s the point of babbling about what you do not have any control over; if you all cannot solve a case of attempted murder by fire bombing, how are you going to solve problem through fiber optics, and space?
Boy, be quiet. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Dods those days is like you do not have patience with anyone. Take it easy Dods.
I do have patient: So, do not consider anything I write because of the tone that I am writing in anger or anything like that. I am just a person who is very direct, if I am going to say something painful as it may seem, I do not know how to smooth it out, nor compromise!
I simply state it as it flows with no intentions of animosity or malice I guess I do not know how to be a Diamond in the rough.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Why do some of you love to repeat what was stated, instead of commenting on what was stated? Your comment and questions are irrelevant to this article. Why not stick to the issue?
Cyber crime is a serious matter. Do you not have a suggestion how the D/can authorities as Ambrose could, hopefully, prevent it?
I do believe that articles are posted to keep D/cans informed of current events and also to get their feedback.; not negativity which does not assist.
Only dark side of the internet in Dominica are Dominican internet service providers…with ex
Hear Ambrose boy. Them fellas making people laugh boy. Cyber crimes Ambrose?
JOSHUA FOR ROSEAU SOUTH. You are expired Ambrose.
what worries me even more… is how freaking slow the internet is in Dominica, you all saying blah blah want to advance, how about advance the internet speeds… did you know Grenada has 100mbps speeds, the average speed in Dominica is a measly 2.5mbps….
It is not only in Dominica. I do think Internet Providers wilfully do this. I pay enough for internet service and there is a lot of headaches with it that I threatened the Provider to disconnect mine. I was offered a monthly discount for a few months. I am still not satisfied. I may switch Providers. We have a lot of competition and discounts to sign-up for internet service. This is the only good thing about it, although they eventually prove to be six of one, half a dozen of the other.
our damn roads for u to work on fixing and a basketball court and proper playing field for de youts u hav to worry about u comin der with ur cyber crime … smh
If you were not too damned politically tormented , you and others like you would have been in a better position to comprehend what the man is saying. If only the politically contaminated borrie (calabash, calbass) on your shoulders had space for collecting, storing and analyzing the importance of such a topic to small island states like Dominica then you would not be exposing the degree you earned in Arseology from The University of Les bettes et Les Imbeciles.
@Lapo Layza Stop being a lapdog to a corrupt regime. You seem to a politically desperate individual, with a smoked and dusty brain..
CHANGE IS A MUST? YOUR LAPO LAYZA.
When you have such a problem, aside from commenting about it, why not write the government, the appropriate department about your concern?
It is happening now at our local banks and credit unions by the employees .
that’s not cyber crime
Wiii bonjay. I’ve heard it all now. Lolololololol
Like the Nigerians, right Mr. Ambrose? LOL
AMBRUISE PWEN COUWEE please!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joshua Fracis is the man!!!!!
UWP Team Dominica will address Cyber Crimes, Unemployment, Underemployment, Agriculture, Tourism and the other growth engines of the country.
This lazy government is incapable of addressing anything, in a manner that will redound to the benefit of Dominica.
Here who is talking just a letter of time.