As Caribbean small island developing state Antigua and Barbuda ramps up its nationwide fight against cybercrime and boosts public digital literacy, it is set to host a landmark National Cybersecurity and Fraud Prevention Forum this Thursday.
This hybrid event, which combines in-person and virtual participation, will run for 85 minutes from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. local time at the John E. St. Luce Finance and Conference Centre. The gathering comes on the heels of the recent passage of the 2026 Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, a landmark piece of legislation designed to update the country’s cyberdefense framework, empower law enforcement to address evolving digital threats, and strengthen legal protections for ordinary internet users and businesses operating online.
Senator Angelica O’Donoghue, a key supporter of the amendment during upper house parliamentary debate, emphasized that new regulation alone cannot curb rising cybercrime. “Passing laws is only part of the solution. Public awareness is just as important,” she noted, explaining that meaningful public education is a non-negotiable foundation for the new legislation to deliver on its intended safety goals.
O’Donoghue has issued a broad call for participation, urging parents, students, small business owners, and every segment of the internet-using public to take advantage of the free educational opportunity. Attendees will gain hands-on knowledge to identify common phishing scams, mitigate fraud risks, and build safer digital habits for both personal and professional use, she said. The senator also praised the government’s move to modernize Antigua and Barbuda’s cybercrime laws, noting that the update aligns national regulation with the rapidly shifting challenges of an increasingly digitized global economy.
The forum’s agenda is structured to deliver actionable, practical insights for attendees of all technical backgrounds. Scheduled sessions include deep dives into recognizing emerging cyber threats, proven strategies for stopping fraud, industry-recognized cybersecurity best practices, an overview of the new legal protections established under the amended bill, and a discussion on cross-stakeholder collaboration to address future cybersecurity challenges. The event will close with an open question-and-answer session, allowing attendees to get personalized answers to their specific digital safety concerns.
Organizers note the core mission of the forum is to equip individuals and local businesses with the concrete guidance they need to guard themselves against pervasive cyber threats and costly financial fraud. In-person spots are still open for registration, and the entire event will be streamed for remote attendees who cannot join at the venue.