THE United States is placing greater emphasis on cybersecurity and secure intelligence-sharing with Guyana, as the country expands its digital infrastructure and develops data-centre capacity.
US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot said cybersecurity is increasingly important to the country’s security and development, particularly as Guyana becomes more digitally connected and develops infrastructure capable of storing and transmitting sensitive information.
Speaking on the Energy Perspectives podcast, Theriot said the United States has been working with Guyana to strengthen its cyber capabilities, while stressing the need for secure systems that can support intelligence-sharing between the two countries.
“Cybersecurity is really important,” Theriot said, while highlighting US support for Guyana’s cyber capacity.
She said the issue goes beyond protecting individual computer systems, pointing to the broader implications for Guyana’s security and territorial integrity.
Theriot said the United States is also focused on ensuring that Guyana has systems that can be trusted when sensitive information is exchanged.
She said, “When you’re sharing intelligence, you have to have a system that you trust.”
The ambassador said this consideration will become increasingly important as Guyana develops its digital infrastructure, including data centres.
Guyana’s growing digital capacity, she noted, creates opportunities but also brings responsibilities to ensure that the systems supporting the country’s technological development are adequately protected.
Theriot said the United States is prepared to continue working with Guyana to strengthen its cybersecurity capabilities and help to ensure that the country can safely participate in increasingly interconnected digital systems.
The cybersecurity issue forms part of a wider US-Guyana security partnership that includes co-operation on maritime security, air-domain awareness and other areas related to national and territorial security.
Theriot said the United States has been working with the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit and the Special, Organised Crime Unit on various aspects of security co-operation.
She also pointed to US assistance aimed at strengthening Guyana’s ability to monitor its airspace and maritime domain.
But she said cybersecurity must be considered alongside these traditional security concerns because digital systems increasingly underpin critical infrastructure and government operations.
“If you think about data centres, if you think about cybersecurity, if you think about intelligence-sharing, all of those things have to be part of a trusted system,” Theriot said.
Her comments come as Guyana continues to modernise its digital infrastructure and attract investment into new areas of technology and economic development.
The US ambassador said Washington sees Guyana as a partner and wants to deepen co-operation in areas that can strengthen the country’s security while supporting its economic growth.
She said secure digital infrastructure will also be important to Guyana’s ability to attract and accommodate international investment.
The ambassador’s remarks also reflect the increasingly broad scope of US-Guyana co-operation, which now includes technology and digital security alongside economic, energy and traditional security matters.
With Guyana undergoing rapid economic transformation, Theriot said the United States wants to help ensure that the country’s technological development is accompanied by the safeguards needed to protect its systems and information.
She said cybersecurity and trusted intelligence-sharing systems will be particularly important as Guyana’s digital infrastructure continues to expand.
The United States, she added, remains interested in supporting Guyana’s efforts to build those capabilities as part of the broader bilateral partnership.
Guyana’s push into artificial intelligence and advanced computing is already taking shape, with the government in November 2025 signing a Memorandum of Understanding with US-based Cerebras Systems to build and operate a 100-megawatt AI data centre at Wales, West Bank Demerara.
The facility is expected to use Cerebras’ CS-3 AI supercomputers and form part of a wider technology ecosystem aimed at attracting startups, researchers and international enterprises.
The project is also intended to support education and skills development through training, internships and partnerships with universities.
The partnership also places greater focus on data sovereignty and digital protection, making cybersecurity a relevant consideration as Guyana expands its digital infrastructure.