Jamaica is entering a new era of cyber vigilance.
At the unveiling of Guardsman Group’s newly established Cyber Intelligence Security Operations Centre, Prime Minister Andrew Holness delivered a clear message to the nation: Jamaica is no longer a soft target for digital threats — and those exploiting technology for criminal gain will face swift consequences.
While the event celebrated private-sector investment in cybersecurity infrastructure, Holness used the moment to spotlight the government’s broader strategy: building a national shield through intelligence-led enforcement and relentless digital monitoring.
“Our objective is simple,” said Holness. “To make cybercrime unprofitable, unsustainable, and ultimately, unacceptable.”
Rejecting the notion that cybercrime is the realm of the uneducated or desperate, Holness spoke candidly about a growing demographic of perpetrators — educated, resourceful, and well-networked.
“We’re not only confronting the underworld on the streets,” he explained. “We’re tracking criminal masterminds behind keyboards — individuals with degrees and digital fluency who think they’re beyond our reach. They’re not.”
The SOC launch is part of a wider overhaul of Jamaica’s national security framework, which now places cyber capability at its core. According to Holness, the transformation is long overdue.
“Security isn’t just boots on the ground anymore. It’s algorithms, surveillance, data correlation — and the capacity to strike before a breach turns into a crisis.”
He noted that as Jamaica enhances its real-time investigative tools and cross-agency coordination, the margin for error among cybercriminals is vanishing fast.
Though the tone was firm, Holness also acknowledged the need for channeling talent away from crime and toward innovation, calling for stronger support systems to guide young tech minds into legitimate industries.
“We want our brightest minds building the future, not breaking it,” he said.
As Jamaica scales up its digital defenses, Wednesday’s announcement makes one thing clear: the government is not just reacting to cybercrime — it’s preparing to outpace it.
