The Barbados government has clarified that a recent technical disruption affecting its systems stemmed from obsolete hardware rather than a cybersecurity breach. Senator Jonathan Reid, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology, confirmed that aging equipment at the Barbados Licensing Authority had surpassed its operational lifespan, leading to system failures.
Minister Reid addressed public concerns following the circulation of an audio recording related to government systems, emphasizing that the incident was purely technological. “The Licensing Authority issue wasn’t a cybersecurity threat; it was a technological problem,” Reid told reporters. “Quite frankly, it’s a hardware problem that went beyond the stage of its shelf life. It became obsolete.”
The ministry conducted a comprehensive audit of critical digital infrastructure across government ministries in December, with findings expected to be presented shortly. Reid acknowledged that Barbados has historically underinvested in both digital infrastructure and digital skills development, stating: “I’m on record as saying that we have underinvested over a long period of time in our physical digital infrastructure. But we have also, as a country, not invested in developing the skills that we require to be a highly competitive country.”
The audit revealed several systems in urgent need of upgrades, though funding remains challenging amid competing national priorities. Reid emphasized that his ministry would make a strong case to the prime minister and Ministry of Finance regarding the critical importance of advancing digital infrastructure. He highlighted the substantial investment required, particularly in data centers, noting costs of approximately US$10 million per megawatt.
The government has received strong support for building sovereign digital capacity, including enhanced compute capacity, data center capabilities, and cybersecurity measures. Reid made these comments during the launch of a science and technology roadshow at Grantley Adams Memorial Secondary School, underscoring the government’s commitment to technological advancement despite current infrastructure challenges.