Government Launches – Observer News Desk
Government Launches Cyber Response
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has launched a dedicated cyber incident response team to improve its ability to prepare for, detect and respond to cybersecurity threats.
The Antigua and Barbuda Government Cyber Incident Response Team (AB govCIRT) was officially launched on Friday, 28 August, at the Sir John E. St Luce Conference Centre.
The event brought together representatives of law enforcement agencies, including the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda and the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control. Officials from the Budget Office, the ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs, the Airport Authority and Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre also attended, along with private-sector partners, including internet service providers.
The launch marks an important step in the government’s efforts to build a more resilient digital environment and strengthen the protection of its information systems, services and critical digital assets.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies, Utilities and Energy Olivette Williams underscored the importance of building confidence in the country’s digital environment, noting that cybersecurity must be supported by a culture of trust.
Director of the Cybersecurity Department Gordina Hector-Murrell described the establishment of AB govCIRT as essential to strengthening cybersecurity across the government.
“The CIRT is a must for security in cyberspace,” Hector-Murrell said. She acknowledged that the journey towards establishing the team had been a long one, but said the work was now entering a new phase, with AB govCIRT serving as a central mechanism for strengthening government cybersecurity.
She explained that the team would provide greater visibility across the government’s digital environment, including real-time monitoring and a coordinated response to cybersecurity incidents, to ensure that government assets are better protected.
Officially launching AB govCIRT, Minister for Information and Communication Technologies, Utilities and Energy Melford Nicholas emphasised that cybersecurity could no longer be viewed as a secondary consideration, but must be treated as a fundamental reality of modern government.
Nicholas said cybersecurity was critical to improving the government’s ability to respond effectively to crises, strengthen resilience and protect the nation’s digital infrastructure.
“Cybersecurity must be treated as a fundamental reality if we are to improve our response to crisis, become a more resilient government and build a more secure nation,” Nicholas said.
AB govCIRT will operate under Hector-Murrell’s leadership and serve as the focal point for the government’s cybersecurity incident response efforts. The team will coordinate responses to cybersecurity incidents, support monitoring and threat detection, strengthen cybersecurity awareness and training, and help government entities improve their overall cyber resilience.
The establishment of AB govCIRT also reflects the importance of collaboration across government and with national stakeholders. The participation of the Defence Force, police, ONDCP, Budget Office, private-sector partners and other government officials demonstrates the shared responsibility required to protect Antigua and Barbuda’s digital ecosystem.
During the ceremony, Nicholas and Hector-Murrell unveiled the official AB govCIRT banner, formally marking the launch of the new cybersecurity capability. Nicholas was also presented with a commemorative plaque displaying the official AB govCIRT logo.
The government said it remained committed to strengthening cybersecurity capacity, protecting its digital assets and ensuring that citizens could have greater confidence in the security and resilience of the digital services on which they increasingly depend.
AB govCIRT is funded by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, signalling its commitment to strengthening preparedness, improving response capabilities and building a safer, more resilient digital nation.
