Guyana continues to push for cybercrime legislation –Attorney-General engages Qualfon on issue
Attorney-General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams (third right), and Vice-President and General Manager of Qualfon Guyana, Scott Warner (third left) and other officials from the Ministry and Qualfon, following the meeting
Attorney-General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams (third right), and Vice-President and General Manager of Qualfon Guyana, Scott Warner (third left) and other officials from the Ministry and Qualfon, following the meeting

GUYANA is drafting cybercrime legislation which is considered an essential component of technological security for companies operating locally. Following a meeting last Friday with officials from Qualfon Guyana, Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams told media operatives that with the advancement in technology and increased dependency, cybercrime legislation remains a priority for the Government.
According to the AG, he was approached by the company’s legal practitioners to examine their operations and the need for cybercrime legislation given their primary mandate which is to provide technological services to local and international clients.
This meeting, Williams said, follows a cybercrime legislation seminar which three of his staff recently attended in Miami. With the three individuals returning with the knowledge they would have gained from that seminar, Williams noted that the Legal Affairs Ministry is now in a better position to look at the question of modeling cybercrime legislation for Guyana.
Additionally, he noted, inputs will be made by officials from Qualfon, who have brought several problems affecting them directly to the Government. The AG explained that there is need for these pieces of legislation which is very relevant for potential investors and their businesses.
Offering a brief comment too was Vice President and General Manager of the company, Scott Warner, who acknowledged that there have been reported cases of cybercrimes at Qualfon.
It is against this backdrop that the company sees the urgent need to cybercrime legislation.
However, Warner is of the view that while it remains a priority, what is more important is to get the legislation right and to be judicious instead of trying to “get it out quickly.”
“Sometimes it’s better to go a little bit slower and make sure that you’re doing it right. And take the best pieces of legislation that are out there and see how we can use that for Guyana. The reason why it’s important is because companies that want to invest and want to do business with us are looking to ensure that their data and their information are secure and safe. When we can see some legislation and promote that with future customers then that translates to opportunities for Guyanese and for jobs,” Qualfon Vice President explained.
Additionally, he urged people not to expect any drafting of the legislation within the next couple of weeks since it takes time to ensure that the Government and the Private Sector look at things from every angle and come up with something meaningful.
Just last week a National Cybersecurity Sensitisation Workshop was held with the aim of examining Guyana’s legal framework and the need to develop a national strategy.
At the workshop, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan said that in addition to public awareness and training, cyber security should be taught in primary and secondary schools.
Later this month, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack and Justice Yonnette Cummings will participate in a Regional Cybercrime Workshop for judges and judicial officers in Sao Paulo, Brazil from August 26-28.

By Ravin Singh

 

 

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