The government of Antigua and Barbuda has ramped up efforts to safeguard its digital infrastructure following the hacking of the Office of the Prime Minister’s social media accounts.
During the recent post-cabinet press conference, Chief of Staff Lionel ‘Max’ Hurst addressed the incident, providing updates on recovery efforts and outlining strategies to prevent similar breaches in the future.
Hurst confirmed that the government is actively working to regain control of the compromised accounts. While progress has been made, he emphasized the sophistication of cybercriminals and the evolving nature of digital threats.
“As anti-hacking devices become more advanced, so do the methods employed by hackers,” Hurst stated, highlighting the ongoing challenges in protecting sensitive government platforms.
To bolster cybersecurity, the government has deployed a team of highly skilled IT professionals, led by cybersecurity expert Lockmore Edwards.
This team has successfully thwarted numerous hacking attempts, ensuring the integrity of critical systems such as the Treasury, Inland Revenue Department, and Customs and Excise Division, which rely heavily on electronic transactions.
Hurst noted the importance of safeguarding these systems, given their role in managing public resources.
“The Treasury operates almost entirely on electronic platforms, and other agencies collect and deposit resources electronically. It is crucial to protect this information to prevent potential disruptions,” he said.
Moving forward, the government plans to implement additional measures, including regular system audits, enhanced employee training on cybersecurity best practices, and investments in advanced security technologies.
These steps aim to strengthen defenses against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
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