Digital transformation will have cybersecurity edge: govt tech officer

Barbados is on the brink of a sweeping digital transformation, with a particular focus on enhancing its cybersecurity infrastructure, the government’s chief technological officer has said.

Mark Boyce, chief executive officer of GovTech Barbados, the agency overseeing the digitisation of public services has outlined an ambitious tech strategy that aims to not only digitise services but also place citizens at the heart of service delivery.

Speaking at the launch of a partnership between local IT company Promotech and global cybersecurity firm Fortinet, Boyce underscored that the initiative goes beyond simply migrating analogue systems online.

“These priorities are not just about taking analogue government processes and putting them online or about upgrading technology,” Boyce said. “They’re about fundamentally changing the way that government serves its citizens.”

The government’s vision, according to Boyce, is to create a system where public services are accessible, efficient, and citizen-driven, addressing inefficiencies in the current service model. He highlighted that the present structure often forces citizens to navigate through bureaucratic hurdles, submit the same information multiple times, and endure delays. “Public service design should start with and be constantly tested against the needs of the people and entities that use the service,” he explained.

A key aspect of the digital transformation plan is to integrate digital services, allowing ministries and departments to collaborate seamlessly. Initiatives such as digital identifiers and signatures will enable citizens to access multiple services through a centralised portal, gov.bb, reducing fragmentation in the current system.

Public services are also expected to become more proactive, automatically responding to life events like birth, marriage, or business incorporation.

One of the most significant elements of the digital agenda is the creation of a Tier 3 National Data Centre and Sovereign Cloud, which will serve as the backbone for the government’s data-driven governance model. The facility will enable more informed decision-making across key sectors, including healthcare, public safety, climate policy, and tourism.

“The National Data Centre will allow the government to take a more data-driven approach to governance,” Boyce said, adding that it will also provide opportunities for innovation in the private sector. By releasing certain public datasets, the government hopes to spur the development of new products and services from local tech companies.

Barbados also aims to become a regional leader in data sovereignty and digital innovation. “We are planning to establish a Tier 3 National Data Centre and Sovereign Cloud in Barbados to ensure data sovereignty and to empower local companies and attract foreign talent to build innovative solutions,” Boyce said.

With these advancements come significant risks, particularly in cybersecurity. Boyce stressed the importance of securing the nation’s digital infrastructure as cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated. “Cybersecurity needs to be at the heart of any digital strategy,” he warned.

To address these risks, the government is setting up a national cybersecurity unit, tasked with protecting critical infrastructure such as healthcare, financial services, and public safety systems. The unit will assess the country’s cyber resilience, implement security measures for essential services, and ensure key personnel are trained to handle cybersecurity incidents.

“The national cybersecurity unit will identify our critical infrastructure, assess its cyber resilience, ensure that measures are in place for continuity of essential services in case of disruption, and see to it that people in charge of critical services are properly trained,” Boyce noted.

A Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) will be formed to provide real-time responses to cyber incidents, further bolstering the island’s defences, the GovTech chief said.

The partnership between Promotech and Fortinet will provide the government with state-of-the-art cybersecurity tools and expertise. Boyce hailed the partnership as timely, given the growing number of cyber threats facing both businesses and government entities.

He emphasised the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to build a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem. “We need to work closely with the private sector to ensure that businesses large and small are also taking cybersecurity seriously,” he said, urging businesses to adopt best practices in data protection and invest in security technologies.

Promotech’s collaboration with Fortinet is expected to enhance the overall cybersecurity posture of the island, providing advanced AI-driven security operations to both government departments and businesses. This partnership aligns with the government’s broader digital transformation goals by ensuring a secure environment for Barbados’ move towards a digital-first society.

Despite the challenges, the government’s tech chief remains optimistic about the future. “I’m optimistic about our progressive digital future. Being small as a country doesn’t come with a lot of benefits, but there are some,” Boyce said. “There are no remote places. We are not separated from each other by language or culture. And importantly, small country governments can more easily engage with citizens to help solve their problems.”

Looking beyond Barbados, Boyce also sees an opportunity for the nation to lead regional collaboration on digital innovation and data sovereignty. “By working together with our neighbours, we can start to create a regional digital ecosystem that supports economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development,” he said. (RG)