Her Excellency Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and the Hon. Premier Charles Washington Misick, co-chaired a meeting of the Turks and Caicos Islands National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday 30th July, 2024 at the Office of the Governor in Providenciales.
Also in attendance, H.E the Deputy Governor, the Hon. Deputy Premier, the Hon. Attorney General Ag., the Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), the Permanent Secretary Governor’s Office, the National Security Policy Officer and the NSS Threat Lead.
Apologies were received from the Hon. Minister for Immigration and Border Services. Invited attendees included the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Minister of Education, The Director of Public Prosecutions, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs Ag., Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education Ag., Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education Ag., Director of Business Operations (ODPP), Director of the Education Department, Director of Social Development, and Director and Deputy Director, Department of Digitization & E-Government Technology and Innovation (DETI).
Members were briefed by:
• Representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Education, on safeguarding measures particularly to address the noted increase in safeguarding incidents. The safeguarding of vulnerable groups, particularly children, is a priority of the National Security Council and is being addressed with urgency. The Ministry is to deliver a comprehensive coordinated safeguarding plan that includes a decisive strategy for delivering justice outcomes, appropriate protections and addressing safeguarding governance across the wider stakeholder community. Safeguarding has been included as a standing agenda item for the NSC.
• The Director of Public Prosecutions on a proposal to implement a digital case management system aligned to the system implemented in the courts. The new case management system, which was approved by the Council, will improve the efficiency and security of case progression, supporting the effective and efficient administration of justice.
• Relevant leads regarding a maturity assessment of the national security governance structure and proposals to develop the operating model. The Council approved the implementation of the proposal that will streamline various aspects of the national security function and develop threat assessment and reporting across agencies to build the necessary capacity and capability to deliver strategic national security objectives.
• The Commissioner of Police on the crime picture across each island, operational updates on investigations and various aspects of policing and national security initiatives, highlighting the expansion of TCI’s radar coverage. The National Security Council approved a proposal to fund a deployment of experienced officers to strengthen tactical operations, building resilience and capability within the force.
• The National Security Threat Lead on the National Cybersecurity Risk Assessment (NCRA) which provided a baseline understanding of TCI’s current cybersecurity vulnerabilities, intervention initiatives for critical national infrastructure and strategic direction for building TCI’s cyber resilience. The Director and Deputy Director, DETI outlined the cyber capacity gaps within TCIG and proposed solutions. A project implementation plan that supports business continuity is to be submitted for Cabinet approval.
Comments