Monthly Archives: July 2017

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Nassau, Bahamas July 21, 2017 Of 164 countries, The Bahamas ranks 129th on the most recent Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) published by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and Deputy Prime Minister Peter K Turnquest has said the country continues to fall too far behind in this area of safety.

Turnquest also said the low ranking could negatively affect the financial sector and curb the expansion of the local IT industry.

The Index assesses 25 indicators and ranks countries based on commitment to and effectiveness in fighting cyber crime. The Bahamas received high scores on only two of 25 indicators. Turnquest said that the Bahamas ranked too low overall on International reports and that even though these studies can be subjective, they influence perception. He added that it was critical that the Government put protocols in place for dealing with cyber crime and that these matters would be addressed soon.

#MagneticMediaNews

#GlobalCybersecurityIndex

Read more from the original source:

Bahamas ranks on low on Cybersecurity Index - Magnetic Media (press release)

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The Deputy Prime Minister yesterday conceded that the Bahamas "continues to fall too far down the scale", after this nation was ranked 129th out of 164 countries for its commitment and effectiveness in fighting cyber crime.

K P Turnquest acknowledged that the Bahamas' ranking in the bottom third of the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), published by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), could "undermine" the financial services industry and this nation's desire to expand its information technology (IT) capabilities.

Of the 25 indicators on which countries were rated, the Bahamas scored highly on just two - cybercriminal legislation and its participation in efforts to combat the problem globally.

This resulted in the GCI placing the Bahamas among 96 nations said to be in the "initiating stage", meaning that they have just "started to make commitments in cybersecurity".

The GCI placed the Bahamas below 'economic powerhouses' such as Gabon, Nauru, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Niger when it came to the commitment, strength and effectiveness of cybersecurity systems, agencies and supporting legislation.

The Bahamas' 129th ranking is also lower than the 121st spot it currently occupies in the World Bank's 'ease of doing' business rankings. On a regional basis, this nation was placed below Jamaica, the leader, who came in at 85th spot, and the likes of Barbados, St Vincent and the Dominican Republic. It did, though, finish ahead of Trinidad & Tobago.

"How did we get there," Mr Turnquest asked, when Tribune Business disclosed the Bahamas' GCI ranking. The survey was conducted by an international regulatory body, the ITU, whose members just held their annual conference in the Bahamas.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the Government needed to better understand the basis for the Bahamas' ranking by the ITU's GCI, but admitted: "In all these rankings we continue to fall too far down the scale.

"There's some things we have to do, not only to be more secure, but put in place the required protocols to give actual and perceived security, as well as improve the overall ease of doing business.

"We have to address them as priority to recover our standing, but this particular issue comes as a bit of a surprise as I'm not sure what the basis of it is. As we look at it, we'll see what we have to do to respond."

Mr Turnquest said that while the Bahamas' rankings in international indices were often "subjective", the Government was aware that international investor perceptions of this nation could be easily influenced by them.

And, given the Bahamas' reliance on financial services and other data-based industries, plus its hopes for further economic diversification via IT, the GCI index ranking could be particularly damaging.

"It's absolutely critical that we have very effective and proactive cyber security measures," Mr Turnquest told Tribune Business. "If we are perceived to be weak in the area of data protection and transaction protection, it does have the potential to undermine our financial services industry."

The Deputy Prime Minister suggested that the Bahamas' GCI ranking was likely based "more in theory than in fact", but acknowledged that perception was everything.

"We'll need to address it," he told Tribune Business. "We have to get facts. Certainly, to the extent there are perceived weaknesses, we'll have to do what is necessary to ensure we negate it."

With IT now an essential part of commerce, Brahima Sanou, the ITU's telecommunications bureau director, emphasised why the growing cyber criminal threat meant awareness and security measures were essential.

"In 2016, nearly 1 per cent of all e-mails sent were essentially malicious attacks, the highest rate in recent years," he wrote in the GCI report. "Ransomware attacks increasingly affected businesses and consumers, with indiscriminate campaigns pushing out massive volumes of malicious e-mails.

"Attackers are demanding more and more from victims, with the average ransom demand rising to over $1,000 in 2016, up from approximately $300 a year earlier. In May 2017, a massive cyber attack caused major disruptions to companies and hospitals in over 150 countries, prompting a call for greater co-operation around the world."

Bahamians, and local businesses, have also become increasingly familiar with hackers and the senders of malware, adware, spyware and various forms of computer viruses. The Clearing Banks Association (CBA) has recently taken out a series of advertisements to warn Bahamians about the threats from 'phishing' e-mails and other tactics designed to obtain their bank account details.

Stephen Bereaux, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority's (URCA) chief executive, yesterday said the regulator was not responsible for cybersecurity in the Bahamas, and did not provide any data in response to the survey the ITU issued for the GCI index rankings.

He added, though, that based on talks at last week's ITU conference in the Bahamas he was "confident a number of things are going on" to protect the Bahamas against cyber criminals.

"There were a number of discussions last week on cybersecurity and the impact on the financial services sector in the Bahamas," Mr Bereaux told Tribune Business.

"Clearly, cybersecurity is an issue for any country, but that said, based on the discussions at the conference, a lot of effort is going on in the country to ensure the issue is addressed."

Mr Bereaux said care had to be taken in interpreting indices such as the GCI, because they sometimes did not reflect what was taking place in a particular country."

Originally posted here:

Bahamas 'falls too far': 129th on cyber security | The Tribune - Bahamas Tribune

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Grand Bahama, Bahamas July 20, 2017 The Minister of Youth, Sport & Culture Micheal Pintard has said that the Government will pay half of the registration fees for NGOs focused on cultural work.

Pintard made the statements at a meeting of cultural leaders at the Bishop Michael Eldon School on Saturday. Those present at the meeting included artisans, dance and drama performers and Junkanoo leaders. Pintard said that the creative industries is the fastest-growing sector in most countries and The Bahamas was behind in this industry. He said: Those are the areas that are rapidly growing, multi, trillion dollar industries around the world. The Bahamas is one of those developing countries that have not yet gotten the memo. So, we have to change that.

He encouraged cultural practitioners to legally register their organizations and pledged governments assistance with this process.Half-way for us means that we are prepared to bring in house two attorneys who will sit in a room with those of you who have paper work completed to assist you in getting incorporated, he added.

Saying that it is important to monetize certain aspects of culture and talent, Pintard also told attendees that registration would open doors to them for international funding.This will dramatically drive your cost down. Our goal is to make sure that all of you are properly registered, which will open up the doors for you to go out there and apply for funding for your product or your organization. Being registered will allow you to seek funding from overseas as well.

Follow this link:

Bahamas gov't to assist cultural NGOs with registration - Magnetic Media (press release)

PHOTO: Breezes Bahamas Resort & Spa. (photo courtesy of Breezes Resorts & Spas)

Todays couples know that when it comes to preparing for a baby, theres more to it than selecting a nursery theme and having a car seat and crib at the ready. In fact, savvy parents-to-be realize that once baby arrivesespecially if its Baby No. 2 or No. 3being alone together will soon be but a distant memory.

Enter the babymoon:a time to relax and reconnect before that sweet bundle of joy makes an appearance and sleep deprivation and diapers settle in for a spell.

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Most couples head for the beach when it comes time to plan a babymoon, and with so many things to do and see its no wonder that the Bahamas are a popular destination.

For couples wondering where to stay, Breezes Bahamas Resort & Spa, the only super-inclusive resort in the Bahamas, is offering a babymoon add-on package for just $200 (minimum three-night stay). The package offers such extras as a room upgrade based on availability (first-floor rooms available upon request), extra pillows to ensure that the mom-to-be can rest comfortably, breakfast in bed one morning and more.

Looking for ideas on how to enjoy your stay? Here are seven of our favorites:

Pamper yourself

Expectant parents should take advantage of every opportunity to pamper themselves before the focus shifts to the baby. Guests of Breezes Bahamas who opt for the Babymoon Add-on Package can enjoy complimentary his and her facials at the resorts full-service Blue Mahoe Seaside Spa. The spa offers a full range of a la carte services, all carried out just steps from the ocean.

Enjoy a romantic oceanside dinner

Carpe dinner!Seize the chance to have a special dinner for two (and a half). What could be more romantic than an oceanside table, personalized service and twinkly stars overhead?

Explore the water

Whether its floating in a freshwater pool (Breezes Bahamas has three) or bobbing in the gentle waves off the white-sand Cable Beach, mamas-to-be know that cool water is the great equalizer. More adventurous couples can try their hand at kayaking or even sailing with their doctors permission, of course.

WATCH Dream Weddings by Breezes Resorts & Spas

Lounge in a private cabana

Want to feel special? Then rent a beachside cabana for the day. Better yet, Breezes Bahamas offers daily beachfront cabana and waiter service (a value of $50 a day) as part of their babymoon add-on package.

Take in a show

Once thebaby arrives, heading out for the night will mean a late-night run to the store for diapers. Couples should make the most of the chance to catch a live show, perhaps one featuring a local steel drum band, or relax at an intimate spot.

Shop till you drop

Pick up a few souvenirs or even something for the babys room. Nassau offers a host of shopping opportunities from high-end boutiques to markets showcasing the work of local artisans.

See the sights

Theres a lot more to do in the Bahamas than sun and swim. Couples shouldnt miss the chance to visit Ardastra Gardens & Zoo, Fort Charlotte, the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, Clifton Heritage National Park and the Graycliff Chocolatier where moms-to-be can learn to make their own chocolate treats while reveling in the knowledge that theyre eating for two.

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Here is the original post:

A Bahamas Babymoon: Seven Things to Do Before the Baby - TravelPulse

LONGMEADOW An eighth grade student from St. Marys Academy is currently working in the Bahamas a part of the Jason Argonaut program.

According to the Jason website, the program is named after the band of explorers in Greek mythology who accompanied Jason in his quest to find the Golden Fleece. The program invites selected students and teachers to travel to Cape Eleuthera Institute in the Bahamas to tag and track Green Sea Turtles. Dr. Robert Ballard, the explorer who discovered the location of the Titanic, founded Jason in 1989.

Adam Witrowski first learned about the Jason program when he was on a family trip to Mystic Aquarium at the young age of 6. At the time, the aquarium had a live feed from the Nautilus research vessel where audience members could speak to the researchers who were on board. The Nautilus research vessel was Ballards, and seeing the footage first-hand lit the fire for Witrowskis interest in marine biology, according to his mother Amy. Since that experience, Witrowski has had the opportunity to talk with Ballard twice.

Though St. Marys doesnt offer courses from the Jason curriculum, it is possible to home school the courses. Amy completed online training so that Adam could complete several modules of the curriculum on top of his schoolwork from St. Marys.

Adam has been working toward this since hes been little by taking as many courses, lectures and camps as we could find for him, Amy said.

To be selected for the Jason program, Adam had to complete the curriculum, an intense application that included several essays, a video about himself and three letters of recommendation. Over 1,000 students apply from all over the world and only 15 to 20 students are selected.

This year Jasons Argonauts are traveling to five different expeditions, the Arctic, Acadia National Park, Cape Eleuthera Institute, the Amazon, and Malaysia. Adams mission has five teachers as well as four other students.

Adam was most excited about the total immersive experience in an actual research mission and to be taking part in it as an actual scientist, Amy said.

Though it may be nerve wracking for parents to send their child so far away from home for eight days, Amy is confident Adam is in good hands.

I get to see pictures every day, but due to the location of the facility and constraints on electricity, we received a phone call from Adam upon his arrival, and well get one phone call during his stay. He sounded thrilled and excited when we spoke and had already made some great friends, Amy added, We cant wait to see what next great adventures this opportunity will lead him to.

Adam will be returning from the Bahamas on July 21. To see photos from the expedition, search Jason Learning on Facebook or go to ceibahamas.org.

Read more here:

St. Mary's student travels to Bahamas for sea turtle research - Reminder Publications