In the first instalment in our Expert insights series on cyber threats and security for 2024, and once again with Sean Slattery of Caribbean Solutions Lab, he discusses, among other things: the changes in the threat landscape that occurred in 2023; the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the security space; ethical considerations surrounding cybersecurity, particularly in areas like privacy and surveillance; possible implications of nation-state-sponsored cyberattacks; and three things organisations should be doing in 2024 to improve their network/IT security.

 

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music!!

Across the Caribbean region, cybersecurity appears to be growing in visibility, as major organisations have been targeted in recent years and the consequences from those breaches have not only persisted but are being reported in the public domain. Of recent note is the breach and data leak at the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) that was initially reported in the latter half of 2023 and at the time of writing, was still in the news six months later.

This podcast episode is the first update of 2024 in our longstanding Expert Insight series on cyber threats and security. As has been the practice, we invite security experts to share their views and knowledge – their insights – on network intrusion and security, generally and in the Caribbean region. Throughout this year, and to offer a broad range of views and perspectives on the state of cyber threats and security in the Caribbean, we will be speaking with a few other security experts from across the region.

 

Introducing our guest

Sean Slattery

Sean Slattery is the Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Caribbean Solutions Lab (CSL), a cybersecurity service provider, based in the Cayman Islands. He has deep experience in IT, having started with a background in Computer Science, and working his way across a broad range of IT roles.

Sean has spent over fifteen years focusing primarily on cybersecurity. His specialities include firewall enterprise; web gateway; e-policy orchestration; enterprise mobility management; and application control.

Established in 2007, CSL has clients throughout the Caribbean region and in North America and offers comprehensive IT security, training and professional services.

 

Insights into our conversation

In having Sean back on the Podcast and part of our Expert Insights series, we have a thread of continuity in our discourse on cyber threats and security. A lot has happened since our last conversation with Sean in March 2023. The Caribbean region is increasingly under threat and a variety of infiltration methods are being used.

An issue that emerged in chatting with Sean is the fact that as our environments become smarter and more connected, they also become increasingly vulnerable. Further, the onus is often being put on solely users to keep all of their devices and accounts secure and up to date with the latest security patches and upgrades, which arguably, is a way of shifting liability from device manufacturers, software companies and service providers to consumers.

Below are several of the questions posed to Sean during our conversation.

  1. To start, can you give us a quick recap of what has been going on in the Caribbean region, with regard to cybersecurity threats and incidents?
  2. Following last year’s conversation, have there been any specific developments in cloud security? What about remote work and hybrid work?
  3. With the growing integration of AI in our everyday lives, have there been any developments regarding AI in the security space?
  4. What are the ethical considerations surrounding cybersecurity, particularly in areas like privacy and surveillance?
  5. What are the implications of nation-state-sponsored cyberattacks?
  6. We have known for years that demand for security experts far exceeded supply. But there now seems to be a concern, especially in a world of AI and social media, that people are claiming to be security/cybersecurity experts but the Average Joe might not be able to distinguish between a true expert and a novice or enthusiast. What would you advise?
  7. After all of what we have discussed, are there any new and emerging threats of which we should be more aware?
  8. What might be three (3) key things organisations should be doing in 2024 to improve their network/IT security?

 

We would love to hear your thoughts!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.

Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

 

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:

 

 

Images credit:  S Slattery;  Tima Miroshnichenko (Pexels); Pete Linforth (Pixabay);  Gerd Altmann (Pixabay)

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez