2.0 Introduction Information and Communication Technology (ICT) provides the basis for the development of every modern and progressive incorporation into the global information economy. society and allows for Governments, businesses and citizens areincreasingly becoming large consumers of ICTs and electronic services. This growing reliance is demonstrated through inter alia, its infusion in education, ongoing enhancement of communication networks, improved facilitation of international trade, changes in management and procurement systems and advances in health care provision. In the last twelve (12) years, ICT usage has increased by 1,310.8% in Latin America and the Caribbean!. The World Economic Forum, Global Information Technology Report shows that Trinidad and Tobago’s readiness to leverage ICT for increasing competitiveness and development jumped upwards from 79 out of 133 countries in 2010? to 60 out of 142 countries in 2012°. The transformative potential of ICTs and the Internet has been recognised by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GoRTT) which identified ICT and the establishment of a diversified knowledge economy as discrete development pillars within its Framework for Sustainable Development+. The intent is to promote universal and equitable access to and use of ICTs and the Internet, so as to address the digital divide and provide for the inclusion of underserved and/or un-served communities. Yet, a corollary to the many opportunities offered by ICT is the presence of various risks in cyberspace. Thus, the country’s response to internal and 1 World Internet Usage and Population Statistics, June 2012, http://www. internetworldstats.com/stats.htm > World Economic Forum, “The Global Information Technology Report 2009-2010: ICT for sustainability, 2010. p. xvii. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GITR_Report_2010.pdf. 3 World Economic Forum. “Global Information Technology Report: Living in a hyperconnected world”: 2012. p. xxiii. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/Global_ IT Report_2012.pdf 4 Government of Trinidad and Tobago, “Innovation for Lasting Prosperity: Medium Term Policy Framework, 2011-2014”, October 2011

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