Panama In March 2013, Panama officially adopted its National Strategy for Cybersecurity and Protection of Critical Infrastructures, joining Colombia as the only Latin American country with a comprehensive cybersecurity plan. The strategy is founded on six pillars: 1. Ensuring privacy and confidence in the use of ICT 2. Eliminating the illicit use of ICT 3. Ensuring continuity of critical infrastructures 4. Developing industry-friendly cybersecurity norms 5. Promoting a culture of cybersecurity 6. Protecting state-owned networks The strategy will be implemented piecemeal through 43 specific tasks or processes, which include developing a large-scale national awareness-raising campaign and creating sector-specific CSIRTs. Panama has also submitted a formal request to join the Budapest Convention to the Council of Europe. Conclusion We are currently living through a watershed period in cybersecurity. News of large-scale cyber incidents fill daily reports and are increasingly becoming the object of political deliberation and doomsday scenarios. Our greatest fear— of cyber attacks crippling infrastructures or creating chaos and economic depression—has luckily not yet come to pass. But to keep pace with those seeking to exploit digital vulnerabilities, more needs to be done. In the Americas and the Caribbean, individuals need to take note of how they use the Internet and ensure that they take any and all precautions to protect their data and devices from abuse. The Internet is a shared asset and cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, meaning individuals need to take ownership of and practice safe habits online. Dependence on ICT will likely continue to grow unabated. Accordingly, governments need to take appropriate measures to protect and secure their critical infrastructures by continuing or beginning to promote cybersecurity planning and legislation; increasing international cooperation; and engaging all relevant stakeholders, including the private sector. Data gathered by the OAS and Trend Micro has led to conclusions in five major areas: • State of government response to cybercrime • State of Internet use • State of the threat landscape PAGE 22 | Latin American and Caribbean Cybersecurity Trends and Government Responses