分类： technology

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A groundbreaking initiative has been unveiled in Jamaica with the launch of the Jamaica Cyber Youth Empowerment Academy, where 30 young Jamaicans aged 18 to 24 have embarked on a six-month intensive cybersecurity training programme. This pioneering academy, the first of its kind in the Americas, is a collaborative effort involving the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), the Ministry of National Security and Peace, and the Organisation of American States (OAS), with financial backing from the Government of Canada. The programme is part of the OAS Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) Cybersecurity Talent and Workforce Development Programme. The academy was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at the S Hotel in New Kingston on Monday. Ambassador Dr. Rocky Meade, Permanent Secretary in the OPM, highlighted the global cybersecurity workforce gap, which exceeds 4.8 million, with North America alone facing a deficit of over half a million professionals. While Jamaica’s specific skills gap remains unquantified, both public and private sectors are increasingly aware of the urgent need for trained cybersecurity experts. Meade attributed the shortage to limited awareness of the field’s lucrative career prospects, outdated training programmes, misconceptions about accessibility, and the high cost of certifications. He revealed that the government is partnering with international organisations to provide young Jamaicans with the necessary technical skills and certifications. Additionally, Jamaica is set to implement the Vincula LAC World Bank Pilot Project, offering 500 training opportunities, including 200 dedicated to cybersecurity. Meade stressed that Jamaica’s journey toward developed country status hinges on cultivating a pool of skilled cybersecurity professionals to ensure national cybersecurity and data sovereignty. Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security and Peace, emphasised the government’s commitment to positioning Jamaica as a regional leader in cybersecurity talent development. She urged the trainees to seize the opportunity, as the programme equips them with foundational knowledge and practical insights into emerging technologies. Stone Roofe expressed optimism about the academy’s transformative impact on Jamaica’s youth and the nation’s overall resilience.

Teenage Engineering, the Swedish design and technology collective celebrated for revolutionizing music equipment, is gearing up to introduce its latest innovation, the EP-40 drum machine and sequencer. The launch will be marked by a week-long celebration in Jamaica, the birthplace of reggae, from October 10 to 17. This strategic move aims to connect with music enthusiasts and creators deeply rooted in the reggae genre. The EP-40, inspired by reggae, dancehall, and sound system culture, is designed to capture the essence of these musical styles while staying true to their origins. The team emphasized that Jamaica has been central to their vision, as it is the cradle of these sounds and the community that has nurtured them. The EP-40 is not just a drum machine or sequencer; it is a tool for spontaneous creativity, featuring intuitive grid-loops and powerful effects inspired by reggae and dub. It includes a sound bank with over 400 new recordings contributed by legendary artists like King Jammy, Mafia & Fluxy, Mighty Crown, and Mad Professor. Additionally, the EP-40 boasts a built-in synthesizer with classic digital-era sounds and authentic dub sirens, offering producers a comprehensive range of reggae’s sonic DNA. The device is professional, versatile, user-friendly, and affordable, allowing producers to sync it with other gear, layer rhythms, and create full tracks. Teenage Engineering hopes the EP-40 will inspire both the artists and producers involved in its development and new users alike, helping reggae reach a broader audience.

Digicel Jamaica has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to solarize more than half of its 930 cell sites across the country. This multimillion-dollar project, executed in collaboration with U.S.-based Caban Energy, aims to enhance network resilience against weather-related disruptions and frequent power outages while reducing reliance on diesel generators. Over the next 12 months, 511 sites will be equipped with solar panels and battery systems, providing a robust backup power solution to meet the ever-growing demand for mobile data. The initiative was officially launched at a ribbon-cutting ceremony near Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport, attended by Digicel executives and country managers from across the Caribbean. The move comes in response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl in July 2023, which left large sections of the island without power for weeks. Digicel Jamaica CEO Stephen Murad emphasized the project’s alignment with the government’s call for telecom providers to strengthen service continuity during crises. Caban Energy’s technology will generate electricity onsite and store excess power in battery packs, significantly reducing downtime and fuel costs. Digicel estimates the initiative will produce over 15,000 megawatt hours of clean energy annually and cut carbon emissions by approximately 38,000 tonnes. Caban Energy CEO Alexandra Rasch Castillo highlighted the project’s dual focus on sustainability and resilience, noting the Caribbean’s vulnerability to severe weather. While Jamaica is the first market to benefit, the partnership will expand to Digicel’s 25 other markets across the region, setting a new standard for clean, reliable, and future-ready telecom infrastructure.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Godphey Sterling, Director of the Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) Division, has issued a stark warning to Jamaican organizations, urging them to bolster their cybersecurity measures without delay. In a recent interview with JIS News, Sterling emphasized the critical importance of vulnerability mitigation, breach data remediation, and incident reporting to protect the nation’s digital infrastructure.

Sterling stressed the need for proactive measures, stating, ‘We must address vulnerabilities before they cause irreversible harm. System administrators, boards, and management must focus on how systems are acquired, updated, maintained, and decommissioned.’ He highlighted the risks posed by everyday devices, such as network-connected printers, which are often discarded without proper data sanitization, leaving sensitive information exposed to exploitation.

The director also revealed alarming statistics, noting that over 70% of ransomware attacks in 2023 were executed through compromised privileged accounts, which were then used to infiltrate third-party systems and re-enter core networks. Sterling urged organizations to act swiftly when data breaches occur, whether through internal networks or third-party channels. While removing compromised data from the deep and dark web may be costly, he advised essential steps such as password changes and account deletions to mitigate risks.

Sterling also emphasized the importance of reporting incidents to the CIRT Division, stating, ‘We cannot manage what we cannot measure. Reporting is crucial for us to extract information from your networks.’ He assured that reporting can be done securely and anonymously.

The CIRT Division remains committed to fostering a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem in Jamaica, working tirelessly to safeguard the nation’s digital landscape.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—The UNESCO Information For All Programme (IFAP) Working Group on Information Accessibility (WGIA) is gearing up to host its sixth annual online conference this Sunday, marking the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). This year’s event, themed ‘AI Access in Focus,’ is a collaborative effort involving the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Alberta in Canada, the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica, and UNESCO’s Caribbean and Southern Africa offices. The conference aims to explore the dual potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as both a tool for empowerment and a source of exclusion. Cordel Green, executive director of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica and vice-chair of UNESCO IFAP/WGIA, emphasized that the future of AI must be shaped collectively, stating, ‘From young innovators to seasoned policymakers, the AI4IA Conference reminds us that the future of AI cannot be left to chance or a select few. It must be shaped by everyone, for everyone.’ The event will feature over 70 speakers from diverse backgrounds, including teenage innovators from Chile, a musical prodigy from India, and a legal expert from Denmark. Discussions will address critical issues such as biased algorithms, opaque AI systems, and the technology’s potential to enhance education, support persons with disabilities, preserve cultural heritage, and empower communities. The conference will include a fireside chat and live interactive sessions, allowing participants to engage directly with experts. Free and open to all, the event underscores the belief that technology should foster equity, inclusion, and human dignity. Registration is available at https://ai4iaconference.com/.

In a significant move to align with regulatory requirements, Meta has announced that Facebook and Instagram users in the United Kingdom will soon have the option to purchase ad-free subscriptions. This initiative, set to roll out in the coming weeks, mirrors a model already implemented across the European Union. UK users can opt out of personalized ads by paying a monthly fee of £2.99 ($4) via the web or £3.99 through iOS and Android apps. The company emphasized that this subscription model offers users greater control over their ad preferences, aligning with recent UK regulatory guidance. Notably, the UK pricing is more affordable compared to the EU, where ad-free subscriptions start at 5.99 euros ($7) per month. Meta first introduced this ad-free option in the EU in late 2023 to comply with stricter regulations aimed at curbing the influence of big tech companies. Historically, Meta has relied heavily on selling user data to advertisers, a practice that has sparked numerous disputes with regulators over data privacy concerns. Last year, the European data regulator mandated that Meta cannot compel users to pay for data protection, prompting the company to revise its approach. While Meta criticized what it termed as regulatory ‘overreach’ in the EU, it praised the ‘constructive approach’ of the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO acknowledged that the subscription model would enable Meta to adhere to UK data protection laws.

Jamaica’s electric vehicle (EV) movement is accelerating, as evidenced by the record-breaking turnout at Evergo’s annual EV Link Up, held on September 6 at the Mona Hockey Field in St. Andrew. The event, hosted by Jamaica’s largest public EV charging network, showcased the growing enthusiasm for EVs among consumers and businesses alike. Dr. Wayne McKenzie, President and CEO of Evergo, hailed the event as a resounding success, highlighting the exponential growth in participation since its inception three years ago. From just six EVs in the first convoy, this year’s event saw a packed parking lot and overflow vehicles lining the streets, signaling a seismic shift in consumer interest and choice. The event featured a diverse array of EVs, from commercial models like the Riddara RD6 All-Electric Pickup and Farizon All-Electric Supervan to luxury brands such as BMW, Porsche, and Audi. Mainstream automakers like Kia and emerging Chinese brands like BYD and MG also made a strong showing, alongside hybrids and plug-in hybrids from Li Auto. Beyond the vehicles, the event underscored the growing ecosystem supporting EV adoption, with banks and insurance companies offering tailored products for this burgeoning market. Evergo’s leadership in the EV space was evident, as McKenzie emphasized the company’s commitment to leading by example—from being the first EV charging company executive to drive an EV to operating Jamaica’s largest charging network. The recent introduction of 200kWh chargers at Evergo’s West Kingston headquarters marks a significant milestone, reducing charging times to just 10 minutes for 200 kilometers of range. With overwhelmingly positive user feedback, Evergo is now strategically planning the island-wide deployment of these high-speed chargers to meet the growing demand. The event also featured the Jamaican Urban Transit Company’s EV bus, further highlighting the expanding role of EVs in Jamaica’s transportation landscape.