As cyber threats continue to rise across the Caribbean, Saint Lucia has become the first stop in a new regional effort to promote online safety. On Tuesday, August 26, CARICOM IMPACS and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) officially launched the Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Public Awareness Campaign, part of the World Bank-funded Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP).
The initiative is designed to equip citizens, institutions and vulnerable groups with the knowledge and tools to navigate digital spaces safely. Officials say the campaign aims to foster a culture of vigilance and strengthen resilience against scams, identity theft, phishing, misinformation, and other cybercrimes.
Speaking at the launch, Public Service MInister Dr Virginia Albert-Poyotte said the campaign comes at a critical time.
“As Saint Lucia embraces e-government through DigiGov, digital payments, online education, and remote business models, our exposure to cyber risks inevitably multiplies. Cybersecurity is therefore not just a technical matter; it is a question of national security, economic resilience, and public trust,” she said.
The launch brought together representatives from the public and private sectors, academia, civil society, regional partners, and the media. Sheralin Monrose-Gustave, project manager for the CARDTP PIU in Saint Lucia, outlined the campaign’s goals, which include raising awareness of online risks, promoting safer practices among youth and vulnerable groups, and encouraging businesses and institutions to strengthen their cybersecurity frameworks.
She explained that the campaign will also feature targeted sub-initiatives:
- Building a Cyber Smart Caribbean (general public)
- Swipe Safe editions for both youth (13–24) and children (8–12)
- Digital Seniors, aimed at protecting older citizens from scams and fraud
- SafeHer Online, focused on tackling digital gender-based violence
- Safer Cyber Spaces for public servants, MSMEs, and law enforcement
“In short, this campaign ensures that everyone – from our children to our seniors, from small businesses to government – is equipped to thrive safely in the digital age,” Monrose-Gustave said.
Providing a local perspective, Inspector Joshua Cammie of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force Information Technology Unit highlighted the growing prevalence of online scams and fraud in Saint Lucia. He also shared practical tips with the public, urging vigilance and collective responsibility in combating cybercrime.
With Saint Lucia’s launch completed, the campaign will continue across Dominica, Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the coming days.
