Fortinet: Jamaicans taking cybersecurity more seriously but...

Fortinet , the global cybersecurity company driving the convergence of networking and security, on Tuesday released findings from its latest FortiGuard Labs Global Threat Landscape Report, which revealed that Jamaica recorded 46.7 million attempted cyberattacks during 2025. In addition 5.4 million cyberattack attempts were recorded during the first quarter of 2026, underscoring the continued evolution of the country’s cyber threat landscape. The report also found that Jamaica recorded seven million active scanning attempts during 2025, with two million recorded during the first quarter of 2026. According to Fortinet, cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to identify vulnerable systems, conduct reconnaissance and accelerate attacks, while the dark web continues to fuel cybercrime by making sophisticated attack tools more widely accessible. Despite this increasingly complex threat landscape, Fortinet says Jamaica has made significant progress in the way cybersecurity is viewed and prioritised. Fortinet noted that a few years ago, many organisations approached cybersecurity reactively, often strengthening defences only after an incident occurred but today that mindset has shifted considerably, with both Government and private sector organisations increasingly recognising cybersecurity as a strategic business priority, and a critical component of national resilience. “The conversation around cybersecurity in Jamaica has changed dramatically. We’re seeing organisations move beyond asking whether they should invest in cybersecurity to understanding why it must be embedded into business strategy from day one. “Security is no longer simply an IT [information technology] expense; it is a business enabler that protects operations, customer trust, and long-term growth. When security is built into an organisation’s operations from the outset, businesses are far better positioned to minimise the impact of an attack and maintain continuity when threats arise,” said Emmanuel Oscar, senior engineering manager for Fortinet English Caribbean, said, He argued that while organisations often focus on the upfront investment required to strengthen cybersecurity, they must also consider the far greater financial and operational consequences of a successful cyberattack. According to Oscar, globally, the average cost of a data breach can exceed US$5 million, while response times in the Caribbean often take longer, increasing both the duration, cost, and impact of cyber incidents. In the meantime, Carlo Caloca, regional sales manager at Fortinet English Caribbean, cautioned that although AI is creating significant opportunities for businesses to improve efficiency, many organisations are adopting AI tools without first ensuring that their internal IT infrastructure and cybersecurity controls are sufficiently mature to manage the associated risks. “As organisations embrace AI to streamline everyday tasks — from developing presentations and reports to supporting customer engagement and data analysis — they must ensure those tools are being used responsibly and securely,” said Caloca. “Without the right governance, awareness and security controls, AI can unintentionally introduce new vulnerabilities into an organisation,” added Caloca. Fortinet said human behaviour continues to be one of the most common entry points for cyber threats, reinforcing the need for continuous cybersecurity awareness and training at every level — from individual users to executive and government leadership. Garfield Gordon, senior systems engineer for Fortinet Jamaica, noted that sensitive information is increasingly being shared across AI platforms, e-mail systems, banking applications, and digital business tools, making cybersecurity awareness an essential part of everyday operations. He also highlighted that government, banking and business operations remain among the sectors most frequently targeted by cybercriminals in Jamaica and across the wider Caribbean. Fortinet continues to support Jamaica’s national cyber resilience through close collaboration with the Government, including its participation in the Technology Recovery and Resilience Task Force, established under the Office of the Prime Minister following Hurricane Melissa. That initiative is focused on strengthening digital resilience across critical national infrastructure, including government services, healthcare and education, ensuring essential services remain operational during future hurricanes and other national emergencies. Queenie Ko, named account manager for Fortinet Jamaica, said, “Cyber resilience is about far more than responding to incidents after they occur; it’s about ensuring Jamaica’s critical services can continue operating regardless of the challenge they face. Through our collaboration with the Government of Jamaica and the Technology Recovery and Resilience Task Force, Fortinet is helping to strengthen secure network infrastructure, modernise digital resilience and support a long-term strategy that protects essential services and the people who rely on them.” Ko added that Fortinet continues to invest in Jamaica by expanding its local team and developing the island as a regional hub for cybersecurity expertise, helping to address the existing cybersecurity skills gap across the English-speaking Caribbean.