Underscoring “heavy focus” on cybercrime protection, Jamaican cybersecurity analyst Mario Sparks revealed plans to invest in a technology company here to train locals in the field in which he also plans to hire them.
“The newly-found oil has sparked almost a meteoric rise in the development of Guyana. But modernization comes with extreme and advanced technologies and those are used by citizens, governments, organisations, etcetera. All of this comes down essentially to data. Data is being transferred and everyone knows now that data is gold, and is even more valuable in many ways than fiat currency. You have to protect that data,” Sparks, founder of the multinational information technology firm Optimity Group, told the Stabroek News during an interview at the Marriott Hotel.
“Guyana is essentially greenfield… So we want to invest in setting up a security operations centre here in Guyana, which would be our redundant operating centre, and have it outfitted by Guyanese cyber analysts who we will train and invest in their certifications. We plan to have them deck our SOC… and as they grow, they are equipped to have their own start up, piggybacking on the experience and training acquired,” he added.
