Cyber threats are growing more sophisticated, relentless, and unpredictable—making cybersecurity a national priority for The Bahamas. ALIV Business recently hosted their inaugural Cyber Security Summit at Atlantis, Paradise Island under the theme “Securing the Future: Navigating Cyber Challenges in Business,” the event brought together over 300 industry leaders, government officials, and global cybersecurity experts to tackle one pressing question: How do we protect our businesses, our data, and our nation from evolving cyber threats?
Cybersecurity is Everyone’s Business.
Cybersecurity has outgrown its stigma of being just an “IT issue.” In today’s digital economy, cybersecurity is everyone’s business. Every leader has a role to play in safeguarding their organization. That means going beyond delegation and taking an active interest in understanding the terminology and risks to ask the right questions and make informed decisions that protect both data and business continuity.
Shakera Johnson, Director of Information Security at Cable Bahamas Ltd., emphasized the critical role of leadership in cybersecurity governance. According to Johnson, cybersecurity must be embedded into every level of an organization, from the boardroom to frontline employees.
“Leadership must be actively engaged in establishing policies and enforcing cybersecurity throughout an organization,” remarked Johnson. “Risk management should be a structured, ongoing process—identifying, prioritizing, and addressing threats before they escalate.”
She highlighted the importance of risk management frameworks, urging businesses to assess their vulnerabilities, implement response strategies, and continuously adapt to new threats in an ever-changing digital world.
Cybersecurity is National Security.
For Franklyn Butler II, CEO of Cable Bahamas Ltd., the ALIV Business Cyber Security Summit is a necessary step toward securing The Bahamas’ digital future. As technology rapidly evolves, so do the threats that can undermine businesses, economies, and even national stability.
“Cybersecurity is about national security,” said Butler. “We must ensure that the best and brightest minds in The Bahamas are thinking about protecting our digital future.”Butler recalled conversations with his team about Cable Bahamas’ role in shaping the country’s cybersecurity landscape. His vision? Not just being a cybersecurity leader but building a local talent pool and creating a culture of collaboration where businesses, government agencies, and technology leaders work together to safeguard the nation’s digital infrastructure. “We can’t just rely on external vendors. The world is shifting, and we need to develop our own expertise to ensure that our national interests remain protected.”
Building a Culture of Cyber Resilience.
Cybersecurity extends beyond technology—it’s about people, processes, and proactive preparedness.
Charnette Thompson, VP of ALIV Business underscored the importance of continuous training and education at every level of society.
“If one business is secure but interacts with another that isn’t, vulnerabilities can spread. We need education, training, and policies that protect businesses, individuals, and national data.”
From business continuity planning to incident response drills, she stressed that companies cannot afford to be reactive—they must be proactive in testing their cybersecurity strategies.
“We have all these business continuity and recovery plans, but have we tested them? Do we know if they work? How can we find these gaps and minimize the risk. “
While these risks may never be completely zeroed, this sentiment was echoed throughout the summit, reinforcing the need for collaboration between public and private sectors to test their plans, share their knowledge and fortify the country as a whole.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Cybersecurity in The Bahamas.
With over 300 attendees, a diverse lineup of regional and international speakers, and a packed vendor showcase, Butler believes this is just the beginning for the ALIV Business Cyber Security Summit.
“My dream is for this summit to become the best-in-class regional cybersecurity event for the Caribbean I want The Bahamas to be recognized as a center of excellence in cybersecurity, AI, and digitization.”
As Cable Bahamas continues to create awareness and action in the oncoming years, drawing in speakers and audiences from across the globe, cybersecurity’s next steps lie in the hands of businesses, government agencies and individuals. To achieve a sense of personal, organizational and national security, we must embed good cybersecurity practices in every aspect of our digital ecosystem.
To learn more about the ALIV Business Cyber Summit, visit alivcybersummit.com.
