Gender diversity critical to combat cyber threats

FROM PAGE B2

The panelists met to explore the intersection of gender and cyber security, revealing the risks of excluding women from this critical field and offering vital insights on how companies and governments can bridge the gender gap. “As the Caribbean navigates the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, it is imperative that organisations and governments seize the opportunity to promote gender diversity.

By fostering an inclusive environment, providing mentorship and training, and advocating for curriculum reform, we can unlock the potential of women in cybersecurity and ensure a safer, more resilient future for the region,” said Ms Hamilton.

Dr Mallalieu, senior lecturer in electrical engineering at UWI, added: “Data in hand shows that women equal or outperform men in IT and computer science, as well as in pure and applied mathematics, at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). Yet women are in a significant minority in related STEM disciplines at the university level, and even more so in the workplace throughout the Caribbean.”

To help bridge the gap, the panelists said all technology-related sectors have a role to play including governments, Internet Service Providers, regulators and suppliers. For these groups, the panellists urged stakeholders to focus on mentorship, training, curriculum reform and culture shifts, including unlearning existing societal stereotypes as vital strategies to bridge the gender gap.

Dom Boon, vice-president of people at C&W Communications, gave a presentation to regional government representatives during the conference that discussed efforts by the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) controlling shareholder to transform its internal culture and achieve gender parity.

“We are proud to acknowledge that presently 49 percent of our people managers are female, due in part to our dedication

Bahamians are treated fairly and it is just a reflection of how much the government cares about us and Simon being an arm of the government, representing the government from a financial point of view. We truly appreciate that and appreciate him. I think definitely we are happy and overjoyed I'm with where we are now. ”

Mr Bastian noted that rising electricity costs have been “very challenging” for gas station operators and other businesses that operate machinery continuously. He added that businesses must cut back on some expenses to ensure that electricity bills are paid. He said: “Electricity, electricity costs, especially a business like the gas station and even hotels and even private hospitals like doctors also. These entities are run 24 hours, seven days a week. So you can imagine how challenging and how hard it is for us. When there's a slight increase in a type of electricity cost it's very challenging.

“But you know, we have to do what we have to do. We have to cut certain areas in order to continue to keep our light on.”

On Monday, Opposition leader Michael Pintard said Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) is in "crisis" and "weighing down" Bahamian businesses.

Mr Bastian, however, is of the opinion that rising costs of electricity is only one of the many factors that are "weighing down" Bahamian businesses. He added that the cost of theft, security, and other indirect costs add to the plight of local businesses.

He said: “I mean that's his view, there are other factors besides electricity that are weighing down Bahamian businesses, electricity is just one of them. We have security that has increased over the years, we have pilfering in retail spaces have increased over the years.

“We’ve had a whole gamut of different unrelated, directly related and indirectly related costs over the last several months. So I hear what the Opposition Leader is saying but there's more to that than just the electricity costs, there are other factors.”

Mr Bastian also noted that transitioning to renewable energy was previously proposed by Esso’s corporate representatives and although the proposal was not favorable at the time, they are more open to it due to rising electricity costs.

He said: “That's been something that's been proposed by corporate. We're looking into that but I think the current model as presented by cooperate to us wasn’t one that was clearly explained or something that we think was in our best interest at the time but at this point with the increased cost of electricity, all our options and opinions are on the desk right now for discussion.” to developing trust-based and human-centred policies for our employees. We look forward to continuing to support and increase the number of women at all levels of leadership, fostering their professional growth, and providing opportunities for collaboration and information sharing through our Employee Resource Groups (ERG),” he said.