Annually, an estimated US$445 billion is lost to cybercrime worldwide. In the emerging fourth industrial revolution, new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things (loT) and cryptocurrency, and their application in sensitive areas such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications, power grids, and mobility, make cybersecurity all the more importantto safeguard against the increasing speed and sophistication of cyberattacks.

To better understand the risks and respond to the opportunities ahead, The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) has officially established the Cyber Security Research Centre (CSRC) which is the first of its kind in Trinidad and Tobago as well as the Caribbean region.

The Centre will undertake research and development of technologies and solutions aimed at protecting critical infrastructure, promoting the safe and secure use of internet technologies as well as tackling money laundering. White collar crime, terrorism and violent extremism, digital forensics as well as cybercrime, tracking, authentication and identification of offenders (both online and offline) will also be addressed.

Cybersecurity professionals are among the most sought after and the highest paid in ICT areas. UTT's CSRC will focus on educating and training cybersecurity professionals with a concentration on the technical as well as the social/professional knowledge and skills.

A cybersecurity skills-gap exists and this gap is increasing. It is estimated that Europe will require almost two million people to build capacity in this sector by 2025. UTT will offer the Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Cyber Security in the not too distant future.