NASSAU, Bahamas -- The U.S. Embassy in collaboration with the U.S. Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) hosted a joint international Cybercrime Legislative Workshop on 24th-25th September 2024 at the British Colonial Hotel. The workshop brought together experts and legal professionals to address the growing threat of cybercrime across the region.

Participants from The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago contributed valuable insights alongside representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Digital Forensics Lab of the Regional Security System based in Barbados.

This two-day event emphasised the importance of international collaboration in combating cyber threats and reaffirmed The Bahamas’ commitment to strengthening its cybercrime laws and enforcement measures. It also highlighted the value of learning from our regional neighbours, understanding that we face similar challenges in addressing the growing threat of cybercrime.

The Importance of International Collaboration in Combating Cybercrime

Opening day one of the workshop, Anthony Teelucksingh, Senior Counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS), emphasised the need for international cooperation to combat cybercrime. He noted that as the digital landscape expands, the threat of cybercrime becomes increasingly complex, making global collaboration essential in defending against these challenges.

Samraj Harripaul, SC, Commission Secretary of the Law Reform Commission, Office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, shared on the importance of Trinidad and Tobago’s participation in the workshop, stating, “Cybercrimes are borderless, and it is always a challenge to investigate and prosecute these offences; even the issue of jurisdiction is a challenge. The purpose is to keep our people and region safe from cyber criminals.”

“The reality is that we now live in a digital world,” Harripaul continues, “and, to some degree, the scary aspect is that cybercrimes affect everyone who uses the internet and everyone who interacts with electronic data. Therefore, it is critical that we as a region ensure that our cybercrime laws are modern and capable of responding to the pervasive challenges posed by cybercrimes.”

Key topics discussed during the workshop included ransomware case studies, the importance of electronic evidence in criminal investigations, and the roles of the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime and Budapest Convention in aligning international standards for tackling cybercrime. Erica O’Neil, Assistant Deputy Chief at the U.S. Department of Justice’s CCIPS, also led collaborative sessions on day two that set the tone for discussions on the current posture for our respective cybercrime legislation and the significance of unified efforts in strengthening legal frameworks across nations.

The Bahamas’ Efforts to Strengthen Cybercrime Legislation

Representatives from the Bahamian legal and cybersecurity sphere were in attendance to speak on how the country can take significant steps towards improving its cybercrime legislation and enforcement. Royal Bahamas Police Force Reserved Inspector Dale Strachan noted that his key takeaway from the workshop was that combating cybercrime in The Bahamas demands a global effort. Clear legal frameworks and coordinated actions are critical to safeguard citizens and ensure justice across international borders.

With the country’s growing digital infrastructure, the importance of protecting Bahamian people and businesses from cyber threats can be summed up by this takeaway from Director of the National Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT-BS) Sametria McKinney, sharing “Building safer digital environments requires partnership. This collaborative initiative with our U.S. and Trinidadian partners delves into cybercrime and strategies for developing effective legislation.” She adds, “Continuing to share knowledge with each other allows us to build capacity and to enhance our collective ability to tackle the growing threat of cybercrime.”

LaToya Greene, Legal Specialist for the Digital Transformation Unit (DTU) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, emphasised the value of international collaboration in addressing cybercrime. Reflecting on the workshop, she noted, “This workshop provided an invaluable platform for collaboration between Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas. It was useful to obtain insight from our colleagues on their experience thus far in drafting cybercrime legislation. The sessions provided critical takeaways on the global standards for combating cybercrime, [and] I sincerely appreciate the organisers putting it together.”

The Bahamas remains committed to working with regional and global partners to create a secure and resilient digital landscape, setting a path forward for continued collaboration on combating cybercrime.  
 

Members of the U.S. Embassy, CLDP, and regional legal representatives pose for a group photo following the Cybercrime Legislative Workshop at the British Colonial in Nassau, Bahamas. Front row, from left: Associate Attorney, Digital Transformation Unit (DTU), Ministry of Economic Affairs, Kendall Carroll; Joint Secretary, Renee Farquharson, Office of the Attorney General; Senior Attorney, Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), U.S. Department of Commerce, Joseph Gattuso; Senior Counsel, U.S. Department of Justice, Anthony Teelucksingh; ICHIP Panama City, U.S. Department of Justice, Matthew Blackwood; Legal Advisor, U.S. Department of Justice, Martin Rodriguez. Second row, from left: Law Reform Officer, Law Reform Commission, Ministry of the Attorney General Trinidad & Tobago, Samraj Harripaul; Counsel, National Centre for Information Technology, Cephia Pinder-Moss; Legal Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs, LaToya Greene. Third row, from left: Assistant Deputy Chief, U.S. Department of Justice, Erica O’Neil; Economic Specialist, Embassy of the United States of America, Department of State, Sandiria Hall; Communications, Cybersecurity and Unmanned Systems, Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), Sub Lieutenant Tevin Williams; Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Chuck Bennett; Reserved Inspector, Royal Bahamas Police Force, Dale Strachan. Fourth Row, from left: Senior Counsel, U.S. Department of Justice, Jane Lee; Assistant Counsel, Office of the Attorney General, Shanae Petty; ICT Security Specialist, TTCSIRT Trinidad & Tobago, Rick Logan-Stanford; Corporal, TT Police Service Cyber and Social Media Unit Trinidad & Tobago, Jaevon George; Office of Director of Public Prosecutions Trinidad & Tobago, Roger Gaspard. Fifth row, from left: Office of the Attorney General Trinidad & Tobago, Solange De Souza; Director, The Bahamas National Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT-BS), Sametria McKinney; Digital Forensics Lab Manager, Regional Security System Barbados, Richmark Deane. Back row, from left: Dean, Specialist Crime & Security, Strategic Services Agency Trinidad & Tobago, Dr. Troy Smith; TT Defense Force Trinidad & Tobago, Lt. (N) Kenneth Goodridge; Sr. International Program Specialist, Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), U.S. Department of Commerce, Sameh Attia.