THE National Defence Institute (NDI), a visionary initiative established under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali, successfully executed its inaugural CEO Cybersecurity Workshop.
The event brought together leaders from Guyana’s critical infrastructure sectors to address the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures in the world’s fastest-growing economy.

According to a press release from NDI, its Director, Dr. Randolph Persaud, delivered a bold and compelling vision for the institute’s strategic mission, positioning it as a transformative force in Guyana’s defence landscape.
“The National Defence Institute is more than an entity; it is the cornerstone of our nation’s resilience against emerging threats,” Dr. Persaud asserted.

According to the release, a key highlight was the presentation by Colonel Sheldon Howell, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the National Defence Institute (NDI) and Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
“Colonel Howell provided practical insights into the policy, implementation, and governance of national cybersecurity.

Drawing on his extensive experience, he emphasised the need for a cohesive national strategy to combat cyber threats and highlighted the critical role of public-private partnerships in building a resilient digital infrastructure. His pragmatic approach offered participants a clear roadmap for translating policy into action,” the release noted.

It further added, “Assistant Director Dr. Seon Levius delivered a hard-hitting exposé on Venezuela’s orchestrated cyber operations targeting Guyana. He unveiled the faces, names, and organisations behind the malicious campaign to undermine Guyana’s sovereignty over the Essequibo Region. Using high-definition visuals and intelligence, Dr. Levius detailed the tactics employed, from disinformation campaigns and ransomware attacks to phishing schemes aimed at destabilising institutions.”
“Let there be no doubt—Guyana knows exactly what is happening, and we are not defenceless,” Dr. Levius declared, underscoring the nation’s superior counter-measures.

It was noted that Kester Hutson, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, praised President Ali’s visionary leadership in establishing the NDI and emphasised the importance of cybersecurity for Guyana’s private sector. “As the fastest-growing economy in the world, Guyana must lead in cybersecurity innovation to protect its economic future,” he stated.

Steven A. Williams, a leading authority on cybersecurity and data privacy in the Caribbean, led the keynote presentation and an interactive tabletop simulation. As the Executive Director of Sunisle Technology Solutions, Williams conducted a dynamic exercise simulating a ransomware attack on the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. This simulation engaged participants in crisis response and decision-making, highlighting the real-world implications of cybersecurity breaches.

Muriana McPherson, Director of Cybersecurity at the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), delivered a detailed presentation on government policy creation and management. She provided a walkthrough of how cybersecurity incidents can be reported to NDMA and showcased tools and resources available through the NDMA website, including guides for incident reporting, threat management best practices, and access to the cybersecurity response network.

Christopher Lawrence, a Guyana-based Information Security Expert, concluded with a session on Corporate Security Best Practices, emphasising actionable steps for CEOs to fortify their organisations against cyber threats.