Business Process Out-sourcing company Qualfon has weighed in on the need for cybercrime legislation, revealing that it has been the victim of several attacks.
Yesterday, Attorney-General (AG) Basil Williams had an introductory meeting with Scott Warner, Vice President and General Manager for Qualfon Guyana, who noted the absence of the legislation and said it could deter potential investors.
Recognising the impact and relevance of cybercrime in the operation of Qualfon, which provides call centre services, its lawyers approached the office of the Attorney-General to discuss cybercrime legislation. Warner said he sees it as pivotal to engage the private sector on their concerns and to fashion collaboration between the sector and legislative arm of the government.
Warner noted that the company, which recently opened a US$4M campus at Providence on the East Bank of Demerara, “wanted to take advantage of having a fresh government and to take Guyana to the next step…. It would help our business [cybercrime legislation] but that is secondary, it would bring jobs to the economy not only by my company but through my competitors.”
He disclosed that there were incidences of cyber-attacks on the company but for privacy reasons he could not divulge details. He pointed out the pertinence of these laws to guarantee the protection of the privacy of the company’s customers.
Williams noted that three persons from the AG’s office recently returned from a Cybercrime legislation seminar in Miami, USA and will be in a better position to make inputs on modern cybercrime legislation. This will be supplemented with inputs from Warner and his company as it relates to their brand.
Williams pointed to efforts of the AG’s office to keep up with current measures to tackle the issue. Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack and Justice of Appeal Yonette Cummings will participate in a Regional Cybercrime Workshop for Judges and Judicial Officers in Sao Paulo, Brazil later this month.
While the issue of cybercrime is topical and legislation is a priority of the current government, Warner told Stabroek News that, “it is more important to get it right and be judicious in its formulation.” He recommended that the legislation should pull from the best framework and practices because “if it is not done right then it does not mean anything.”
The meeting between Williams and Warner came against the backdrop of a recent forum which highlighted the need for cybercrime legislation.
Last month, the US Embassy’s International & Law Enforcement Coordinator Leon Carr met and discussed cybercrime with the AG’s office. The US Department of Justice offers assistance to participating countries in developing laws and procedures that will improve the ability to investigate and prosecute crimes involving the use of computers and the internet.
On Wednesday, a National Cyber Security Sensitisation workshop was held at the Pegasus Hotel.
In 2010, Guyana held its first national cyber security conference, which was organised by the then Ministry of Home Affairs and drew participation from the disciplined services, the public and private sectors and experts from the OAS and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
More than a dozen recommendations, including a call for the enactment of laws to prosecute cyber criminals, were made. There were presentations on the implementation and enforcement of cyber security legislation, information sharing among national stakeholders and developing a national framework for cyber security.
