The United States is expanding its support for cybersecurity development in Trinidad and Tobago through a collaborative initiative to strengthen the country’s digital defenses.
The programme, delivered via the U.S. Embassy Port of Spain, the Delaware National Guard’s State Partnership Program, and United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), brought together more than 40 cybersecurity professionals and IT executives from both the public and private sectors.
Participants, including representatives from the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and the Cyber Security Incident Response Team (TT-CSIRT), engaged in a week-long Cyber Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) held at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus.
The training focused on key areas such as incident response, threat detection, digital forensics, and inter-agency coordination. The initiative emphasized a “whole-of-nation” approach, reinforcing the need for collaboration across institutions to improve cyber resilience in an increasingly interconnected environment.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz underscored the importance of the partnership, noting that cyber threats transcend national borders and require coordinated responses. She highlighted that joint efforts like the SMEE strengthen both countries’ ability to safeguard digital infrastructure and protect citizens.
Senior officials from Trinidad and Tobago, including Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander, also participated in the workshop, signaling the government’s commitment to enhancing national cybersecurity capacity.
The initiative reflects deepening bilateral cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the area of security, as cyber threats continue to evolve and pose risks to governments, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
