Under the proposed Computer Misuse and Cyber Crime Amendment Act 2019, Leader of the Opposition, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) is proposing that the Virgin Islands (VI) look into creating a ‘Cyber Soldier’ unit that can police the territory’s internet along with the rest of its Information, Communication & Technology (ICT) space. Photo: Internet Source

Leader of the Opposition, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8). Photo: VINO/File

In 2013, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) published a database that stripped away the privacy of offshore businesses across 10 offshore jurisdictions. Photo: Finance Twitter

Speaking at the recent Sixth Sitting of the First Session of The Fourth House of Assembly, Hon Penn remarked that while the idea is not new, he had proposed it at a past House of Assembly sitting only to be laughed at as those legislators did not understand the concept.

Elite Cyber Team 

“I came here… I can’t remember the Bill that we were discussing, and I went on and I spoke extensively on the era that we’re in… and the importance of us to now start thinking about having Cyber Soldiers,” he told the House at the August 1, 2019, Sitting.  

According to the Opposition Leader, this cyber team would be made up of, “Persons who understand technology, who understand the damaging effects of technology to help us as a country, as a territory, as a government, to police the technology world.”

He said back in 2014 when the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crime Amendment Act originated, the need to Protect VI’s digital space became even more apparent due to a data leak that affected the territory’s offshore business industry.

Hon Penn urged Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), “...to start enlisting those Cyber Soldiers. We need persons to help support, defend our public infrastructure, help defend our government and our data.”  

Protecting Data

In 2013, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) published a database that stripped away the privacy of offshore businesses across 10 offshore jurisdictions.

The Offshore Leaks Database allowed users to search through more than 100,000 companies, trusts and funds created in offshore locales such as the Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands and Singapore.

“I’m happy that the bill is back and the Premier has added some additional information, additional clause to further protect and regulate the ICT environment in this territory,” Hon Penn said.

Further, he remarked that in supporting the bill and the large penalties, necessary safeguards have to be put into place to ensure that authorities don’t abuse powers when they go after those committing cyber crimes.