LEVERAGING REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS Many cyber security threats and vulnerabilities are international in nature. Cooperation with regional and international partners for purposes of information sharing as well as incident response is therefore critical. HUMAN RESOURCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING In support of the vision of creating a knowledge based society, this Strategy will seek to ensure that there exists an available cadre of knowledgeable and highly skilled professionals in the area of Information Security. The key objectives identified for this area are: AN AVAILABLE POOL OF SKILLED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD OF INFORMATION SECURITY IS MAINTAINED While it is laudable that some of Jamaica’s tertiary institutions offer Computer Science and/or Computing Degrees which encapsulate Information Security and Network Security programmes, more needs to be done. The challenge therefore is to increase the number and availability of professionals with a specialization in the discipline of network/cyber security. The continuously changing nature of the field requires constant training and education. The Strategy will seek to ensure that academia supports the growth and development of this field. Sustainability in the information security ecosystem is crucial and as such accreditation and certification of skilled personnel in key positions will be pursued. A catalogue of roles, and the relevant educational background needed for key positions in Information Security will be developed. Additionally, a national register with accredited cyber-security professionals will be created and maintained. JAMAICA HAS AN ACTIVE AND DYNAMIC CULTURE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Research and Development among stakeholders in academia, private and public sectors will be encouraged. The Government will partner with local, regional and international bodies to promote and incentivize innovation and creativity in ICT and cyber security solutions. The Strategy will seek to explore the possibility of the establishment of a fund for cyber security research and development projects. This knowledge base will be supplemented by an exchange of information on experiences and evolving trends which will ensure not only the development of innovative products but that ICT security professionals will have timely and relevant information at their fingertips in order to perform optimally. 22 National Cyber Security Strategy Government of Jamaica