The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Mona campus is set to launch an undergraduate major in cybersecurity this September, as part of its efforts to address the growing threat of cybercrime and boost Jamaica’s digital resilience.

Offered through the Department of Computing in the Faculty of Science and Technology, the new programme is designed to train a new generation of cybersecurity professionals capable of defending national and regional digital infrastructure.

Students enrolled in the major will receive both theoretical grounding and hands-on training in critical areas such as malware analysis, penetration testing, risk management, and countermeasure development.

“This is the premier programme of its kind in Jamaica and the region,” said Dr Curtis Busby-Earle, senior lecturer in the Department of Computing. “We are offering students the technical and scientific foundation they need to thrive in a fast-evolving digital landscape.”

A unique feature of the major is its partnership with a globally recognised cybersecurity certification body, providing students with the opportunity to gain industry-recognised certifications at reduced costs.

The programme’s launch follows closely on the July 3 announcement of the establishment of the Precision Cybersecurity Lab, a collaborative initiative between the university and Precision Cybertechnologies and Digital Solutions Limited (PCDS).

The lab, backed by a US$75,000 investment, will be housed within the Department of Computing and will serve as a hub for applied research, real-time threat detection and student training.

Dr Busby-Earle, who also leads the Caribbean’s foremost research group in cybersecurity, the CIFER Group (Computer Intrusions, Forensics, and Exploitations Research), emphasised the synergy between the new major and the Precision Cybersecurity Lab.

“The lab and the major together will provide the hands-on training necessary to build Jamaica’s cybersecurity workforce,” he said.

Adding that the curriculum is carefully designed to produce well-rounded professionals capable of handling real-world cyber threats. Graduates will leave with a deep understanding of computing principles, advanced problem-solving skills, practical lab experience, and the ability to work in both technical and leadership roles, or pursue further studies.

Professor Michael Taylor, dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, stressed the national relevance of the initiative.

“Cybersecurity is now a cornerstone of national security, economic resilience and digital innovation,” said Professor Taylor. “As Jamaica and the Caribbean accelerate their digital transformation, we must also grow the expertise to secure our systems, data and infrastructure. This major is one way The UWI is contributing to national development through science and technology.”

Photo caption: Dr. Curtis Busby-Earle