In the digital age, cyber security is perhaps the most important form of security individuals must be concerned with. Banks, schools, hospitals, businesses, governments and virtually every other modern institution you can think of that stores and organises its information electronically are prey. This means that all your most sensitive information — from credit card numbers and checking accounts, to medical records and phone bills — is accessible for viewing, stealing, or manipulating to anyone with a PC, an Internet connection, and some computer know-how. The increasingly computer-based world is increasingly vulnerable to malevolent computer hackers.

Hacking and other forms of cybercrime will continue its stratospheric growth over the next five years, according to a report published by Cybersecurity Ventures.

There are numerous contributors to this increase, which is expected to cost the world more than $6 trillion by 2021, up from $3 trillion in 2015.

Data remains the primary hacker target. Microsoft predicts by 2020 data volumes online will be 50 times greater than today. There are 111 billion lines of new software code being produced each year — which will include billions of vulnerabilities that can be exploited, according to research conducted by Secure Decisions.

The $6 trillion estimate of costs is based on historical figures including recent year-over-year growth, a dramatic increase in hostile statesponsored and organised crime hacking activities, a cyber-attack surface which will be an order of magnitude greater than it is today, and the cyber defenses expected to be pitted against hackers and cybercriminals over that time. We in this country should pay attention to the cybercrime cost prediction, which includes damage and destruction of data, stolen money, lost productivity, theft of intellectual property, theft of personal and financial data, embezzlement, fraud, post-attack disruption to the normal course of business, forensic investigation, restoration and deletion of hacked data and systems, and reputational harm.

However, $6 trillion may actually be understated. The worldwide cyber damage estimates do not include unreported cybercrimes, legal and public relations fees, declines in stock and public company valuations directly and indirectly related to security breaches, negative impact on posthack ability to raise capital for startups, interruptions to e-commerce and other digital business transactions, loss of competitive advantage, departure of staff, recruiting replacement employees in connection with cyberattacks and resulting losses, and ongoing investigations to trace stolen data and money.

It is against this back drop that Trinidad and Tobago must think about information security. How are we going about safeguarding of computer systems and the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the data they contain? Has this been addressed as a critical national policy issue? What is the policy concerning the transmission of information with FATCA? Are we legislatively prepared for this type of crime? While there appears to be tremendous effort to ensure the security of data involved in the transmission of data required by FACTA, do we have the systems in place to respond to a cyber-attack to any of our on-line systems such as banking? A word to the wise should be sufficient.

With its revolutionary design of an infinity display with the most immersive edge-to-edge screen, latest security features of an iris scan and secure folders, long battery life, range of colours and 12MP rear and 8MP front cameras with voice control to capture life as it happens, the new 4G LTE-compatible Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 + smartphones were quite a hit with customers.

Leonardo Silva, product specialist, Samsung Electronics Latin America, was at the store for the launch and said, “bmobile has a great 4G mobile LTE network and we know that customers want to be on the fastest network, with the fastest device in the market today, so this makes bmobile a very strong strategic partner for Samsung. We love coming here because Trinidad and Tobago, which has a lot of Samsung lovers, is one of our favourite markets, and we look forward to continuing to work with bmobile to add to the high levels of customer satisfaction they already provide.” Chevon Wilson, TSTT’s VP of Mobile Services thanked bmobile’s customers for their continued support over the years and said, “We are very excited to give our customers first access to the advanced innovative features of the Galaxy S8 and S8+. Supported by the only mobile 4G LTE network in Trinidad and Tobago, our ultrafast speeds will empower the full features of the phones to deliver a fantastic user experience which captures life as it happens. bmobile is committed to the rollout of communications solutions and services that will enrich the lives of citizens and businesses. As we say, ‘Life Is On’ and we are thrilled to partner with Samsung to support our customers’ always-on lifestyle.” Silva explained that the Galaxy S8 with its 5.8- inch display and the S8+ with 6.2 inches, supported by Quad HD+, provide the largest, immersive, crystal clear, edge-to-edge display. “That’s very important because customers now have more work space to watch videos or multi-task using multi-windows. But we are really taking it to a new level because they may sound like large devices, but when you hold them in your hand you see how compact they are.” Silva added that besides the wow factor, the focus of the Galaxy S8/S8+ is on increasing the functionality and productivity of the phones for both professional and personal use, with the large storage size, new security, snap window and Samsung DeX features.

Snap window allows users to literally crop a piece of an application and pin it up at the top of the screen to watch while they keep working at the lower part of the screen, while Samsung DeX lets them connect their Galaxy S8/S8+ to a monitor, keyboard and mouse for a desktop experience powered by their phone to turn any place into a workplace. The 64GB phone storage provides the space needed for high definition pictures and documents, and the 256GB microSD slot provides even more storage to enjoy the music libraries that people carry around on phones.

Cliff Ross, Jonathon Sirjoo and Steve Edwards were among the visitors who shared in the day’s excitement. Sirjoo was most impressed with the combined speed of the S8 phone and bmobile’s 4G LTE network.

“I have an android phone, and it’s a good phone, but it’s now slowing down. This is where other phones tend to fall short. The S8 is sleek and light.

In addition, the speed of the S8 backed with the speed of the bmobile’s 4G LTE service are impressive and are going to make a big difference in how a person will maximize what he gets out of the phone. A phone can only do so much but when you add the bmobile’s 4G LTE service, you now have a phone that can really take you to the limits.” Ross liked the clarity of the S8’s screen while Edwards liked the S8’s sleek design, edge-to-edge screen and quick response time. “It’s a very beautiful phone, especially the full screen option where I can remove the home button to achieve a larger full screen.”

After over 20 houses were destroyed at Culture Road, residents expressed their outrage by burning debris across the Valencia stretch, causing a major traffic build up. Valencia Police were called out to ensure law and order.

This did not stop the residents from protesting again on Tuesday by burning debris after their call for justice was ignored. At first, the Land Settlement Agency (LSA) was blamed for the bulldozing of the houses. However, when contacted for comment, Housing and Urban Development Minister Randall Mitchell, under whose purview the LSA falls, said his ministry was not responsible for the exercise.

He said his ministry was not empowered to carry out such an exercise and said the exercise was carried out by Commissioner of State Lands Paula Drakes, who is empowered to demolish all structures deemed to be unlawfully constructed on state land. Contacted yesterday, Al Rawi said Drakes had very definite and certain responsibilities in law.

“I was informed that the bulldozing occurred on the direction of the Commissioner of State Lands. I have been calling on her to meet with me, calling on a constant basis. I wrote again today asking that she come and have a meeting with me and was told she was not available. I am hoping she would be available some time soon “I appreciate that she has a very large workload, but I too have a very large workload and have been making myself available as best as I can,” Al Rawi said.

The AG said he is aware that the commissioner’s office has a huge backlog, but there are things to be sorted out and he would continue to make efforts to meet with her.

Al Rawi noted that it was defined in law that the Commissioner of State Lands is a public office and not a Cabinet appointee.

The Commissioner is appointed by the head of the Public Service Commission (PSC). All attempts by Newsday to contact Commissioner Drakes and PSC officials for comment yesterday were unsuccessful.

During a board meeting, the president is responsible for keeping the discussion on track and ensuring that the group follows the agenda.

To do this, he or she may have to take a firm stand. If an individual consistently goes off track, the president may need to assume a counselling role to rectify the situation.

It is the president’s responsibility to deal with performance problems.

The difficulty is in finding the balance between encouraging participation and discouraging performance problems. This balance will vary with each situation and with each board.

Other members of the board have a responsibility as well: to discourage unacceptable behaviour and to stick to agenda topics. Codes of Ethics or Codes of Conduct must be implemented with sanctions for breach.

Performance issues which are typical in a Board of directors are: lack of attendance, late arrival and going off the agenda. It may be appropriate to contact an outside resource person either to discuss particular problems or to help solve them. Most organisations can provide or recommend a resource person.

There are some important rules to remember when discussing a performance problem with a member of the Board. They are to:
• emphasise the situation rather than the individual;
• maintain a working relationship with the individual; and
• maintain the individual’s self-esteem.

Board members must accept their duty to each other, as well as the organisation and its members. When a Board member’s performance creates a problem, it is the responsibility of the whole board to deal with it. In many cases an unresolved concern or problematic behaviour can interfere with an otherwise well-functioning organisation. Performance problems should be dealt with as soon as they become apparent. Individuals must be made aware of their roles and the expectations of the group. If they fail to see the gravity of the problem, the group must be clear about expected behaviour and the result of not complying.

It is important to realise that Board self-evaluation provides a picture – a record at a given moment in Board history – of the way that the Board and its senior management perceive the Board’s operation at the time. As Board membership and employee’s makeup change, and as conditions and priorities shift, the resets also are likely to change.

The dated results of a selfevaluation process will provide a useful base for a subsequent look at Board’s performance. In many cases, the process will offer one of the Board’s few positive and reliable indicators of change and improvement. The recorded data have been captured as part of the record, and will be available for re-examination in the light of new data. Therefore, some Boards will find it useful to carry out the selfevaluation process on an annual basis.

In some cases, the Board will carry out the evaluation process itself, including the review and planning meetings. In other instances, it will want to involve an outsider facilitator to guide the process.

Often, the skilled facilitator can add more objective perspective than the insider, particularly if asked to analyse the data and prepare a report on the findings.

It is also worthwhile to involve a facilitator if the Board is still moving towards being an effective body. Perhaps directors have come together only recently or feel tensions that may need identifying and dealing with during the review process.

Feedback When discussing behaviour changes with a person who has performance problems, be sure that the person who initiates the discussion emphasises the situation, not the individual. The goal is to be supportive rather than confrontational. Here are some recommended steps to follow:
• state the issue in behavioural terms and clearly indicate the desired behaviour;
• ask the individual for his/her point of view;
• discuss any differences in opinion and ask the individual to suggest how they could address the issue; and
• summarise, record expectations and intended actions, and set a date for follow up The League continues its development thrust and several leadership strategies and developmental knowledge will be imparted to participants at its 17th Annual Regional Leadership Conference, in Panama City, from May 25-28.

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Many property owners told Newsday they did not want to wait until the last minute on May 22, to file their documents. They lamented that there were so many others with similar sentiments as evidenced by extremely long lines outside the office.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert had said all property tax forms must be submitted to Valuation Division offices by May 22, as the Valuations Act of 2009 gives the Commissioner of Valuations power to “require all land owners to submit a return and all supporting information.” Property owners are required to submit an assessment form and several documents, including a lease or deed along with a WASA or electricity bill and their last land and building tax receipt.

There are eight Valuation Division offices throughout the country.

Mother of three, Anne-Marie Jaikaran of Marabella said she decided to visit the office yesterday because she wanted to avoid the rush. “I came here about 9 am and I saw this long line and I wanted to turn back, but I stayed and surprisingly, the lines are long but they are moving fast,” she said.

Jaikaran, 44, said the staff were assisting people who didn’t know what to do, particularly the pensioners.

“The process took like about 30 minutes. You just have to walk with your documents in an envelope and make sure your name is on it and then you are given a receipt and that is it,” she told Newsday.

Jaikaran said that she believes the receipt is very important.

“You have the proof that you submitted your documents and no one can say they lost it,” she said.

Property owners were also given the option of avoiding the lines and submitting their forms in a box.

Father of three, Marlon Waithe, 44, said people were very careful and very few had opted to submit their documents via the drop off box.

“This is Trinidad and somehow things go missing and without proof, no one knows for sure that you submitted the form,” he said.

Waithe said he believes that people are also panicking and no one wants to be penalised for not abiding by the law.

As we contemplate the increasingly boldfaced presence of weapon- toting criminals amongst us and ever present armed violence, consider this: The World Health Organisation uses a violence-focused definition to determine areas of violence epidemics based on homicide rates exceeding 10 murders per 100,000 inhabitants.

This puts the Americas, which includes Trinidad and Tobago, as the most violent region in the world.

Latin America and the Caribbean account for less than 10 percent of the world’s population but a third of the world’s homicides.

A recent analysis done by the London School of Economics on Crime and Violence in the Americas and the Caribbean identified that there tends to be a correlation between high homicide rates and the wealth of countries measured by GDP per capita.

It is usually accepted that the higher the income of a country, the lower the incidence of violence. In this country and many countries in this region, the homicide rates are far higher than would be expected given the GDP per capita. One can only imagine how much worse the situation could become if deeper levels of financial insecurity intensify the drivers of crime and violence.

There is a further point to be considered too. The LSE study used a framework of crime economics to analyse the drivers of unusually high levels of armed violence and crime. According to this body of research, potential criminals assess the benefits and costs of committing crimes, compare them with those of legal activities and choose accordingly. In other words, widespread impunity makes the expected costs of committing crimes very low.

For example, fewer than 10 percent of homicides in the region are resolved; and the justice system is very inefficient with about 60 percent of the prison population in pre-trial detention on average.

These are regional statistics, but in this country we are painfully aware of the extremely low detection and conviction rates.

The slow pace of justice increases criminals’ sense of impunity. For that matter, the longer questions about the integrity of the process of judicial appointments remains unresolved the more the public’s confidence in the justice system is shaken. The choice that some make to engage in criminality rather than a life of struggle within the rule of law becomes even easier to justify to themselves.

There is a correlation between poverty and criminality no doubt, but armed violence should not be lightly explained away by the impending financial hardships nor should it be treated as a side issue to economic recovery.

The Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development establishes the impact that this kind of criminality has on socio- economic growth: Armed violence destroys lives and livelihoods, breeds insecurity, fear and terror, and has a profoundly negative impact on human development.

It imposes enormous costs on the State, communities and individuals.

Armed violence closes schools, empties markets, burdens health services, destroys families, weakens the rule of law, and prevents social services from reaching people in need. Armed violence kills — directly and indirectly. It threatens permanently the respect of human rights.

Living free from the threat of armed violence is a basic human need. It is a precondition for human development, dignity and well-being. Providing for the human security of their citizens is a core responsibility of governments.

IDB economist Dr Jeetendra Khadan, speaking at a Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce event earlier this week, clearly pointed out that the role of the Government in the context of the present economic realities will have to change. In fact, tackling criminality and armed v i o l e n c e must be a central gove r n m e n t r e sp ons i – bility in the process of e c onom i c recovery.

The oddest part of the situation in which we find ourselves – where many still believe it is a man’s world – is the fact that women, more than men, go through extraordinary things for the sake of the human race. Just one example is childbirth, a process without which the race would not be able to perpetuate.

Unfortunately, when it comes to maternity issues, the State has a bad reputation. Whether this is merited or not (thousands of cases are handled without incident), the fact is one bad case is one case too many.

And there have been many bad cases involving botched Caesarean sections.

As such the $4.3 million renovation of the Mount Hope Women’s Hospital at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, as simple as it is, is most welcomed. As noted by Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, the public expects all medical staff to perform at their best, yet how can we expect this when the conditions in which these workers function are not optimal? “(We) didn’t have proper staff facilities yet we expect our staff to perform,” the minister said as he visited the hospital on Mother’s Day. “We are totally redoing the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department. So we are upgrading the facilities to focus on our two main customers – staff and patients.” A cynic might say the facelift is little more than tinkering with a system with major flaws – such as the conflicting private and public practices of doctors, the inefficient procurement regime governing regional authorities and clear quality control gaps which have resulted in reports of poor-quality subsidised drugs being administered. Yet, it is also true that no person should have to work in conditions that are not conducive to work. And every little improvement in the system should be welcomed. It signals an intent to bring forth even more profound improvements.

And more profound improvements are sorely needed in areas further afield.

Not only do mothers and women face unique challenges when interacting with our healthcare system, but they must also contend with a misogynistic society in which violence against females is tragically the norm.

We see this reflected in the politics behind some of our music, art and cultural events. And we see it every day with the latest headlines telling us of some tragic end to yet another mother.

This Mother’s Day, instead of making breakfast and presenting her with flowers, the children of murdered mother and grandmother Tara Ramdeen were preparing to attend her funeral service. Ramdeen’s daughters Anna, Dana, Melani and son Vishnu wept as they held each other near Ramdeen’s coffin. Their cries reverberated throughout Bristol Village, Mayaro.

Amidst the fun and revelry of the Police Service sports day on Saturday, tribute was paid to murdered mother PC Nyasha Joseph.

Her body was found in the Gulf of Paria on March 16 by fishermen after she went missing on March 8.

Sea Lots resident Kenneth Browne and his ex-wife Melissa Browne of Carenage have been charged with murder and have appeared in court.

These are just some of the tragic cases involving mothers in recent times.

As a society we must do far better to do justice to the women who rear us. We must work to ensure mothers are safe, and can access quality healthcare and that they do not have to content with a society in which anything goes.

However despite being disappointed about this development, Policyholder Group chairman Peter Permell was confident that Clico policyholders and shareholders will, “come together.” Speaking outside the Cascadia Hotel in St Ann’s where the meeting was supposed to take place, Permell said his group was advised by Duprey’s representative Kerry Ramjag, that Duprey had to postpone the meeting because an “issue” had arisen with another shareholders group.

Permell said once that issue is resolved, the meeting with Duprey should take place.

Reiterating that personalities and past events are irrelevant now, Permell said it policyholders and shareholders must unite because the incumbent People’s National Movement (PNM) administration and its People’s Partnership (PP) predecessor had slammed the door in their faces.

While insisting that policyholders and shareholders must receive what is respectively due to them, Permell said, “We want to make sure the taxpayers get back their money first.” Referring to statements made by Finance Minister Colm Imbert when he presented the Mid-Year Review in Parliament last Wednesday, Permell said meeting with Duprey represents the “last best hope” for liquidated, this could be a fire sale where those assets are undervalued.

Permell warned, “This Clico issue is far from over as far as we are concerned.

I see no resolution in sight.” Saying there is no shareholders agreement in effect, Permell claimed that the Government is making decisions without consulting the shareholders.

Last Wednesday, Imbert said the repayment plan for Clico will protect policyholders and depositors, reduce the public debt and improve Government’s fiscal options. He said Government will work assiduously on the Clico Resolution Plan within the legal constraints and in accordance with guidelines ordered by the High Court

Kirby led Sacha’s Northern Starblazers to an eight-wicket win over KJ Sports Eastern Diamonds, while Bissoon guided TECU Southern Angels to a six-wicket victory over Creation Group Central Gladiators.

Bowling first at the Sir Frank Worrell Ground, UWI St Augustine campus, in a shortened 16-over match due to a late start, the Starblazers restricted the Diamonds to 91 runs for five wickets.

Reneice Boyce and West Indies player Stacy Ann King led the way scoring 21 and 15 respectively.

Rosemary Samaroo played an instrumental role snatching two wickets for 21 runs in three overs.

In reply, the Starblazers eased to the target getting to 92/2 in 14.3 overs. Starblazers were reduced to 14/2, but a 78-run partnership between Jamaican Chedean Nation and national cricketer Kirby took the team to victory.

Kirby, who won the Player of the Match award, struck 33 not out off 31 balls with two sixes.

Nation topscored with an unbeaten 38 off 35 deliveries with three fours. Barbadian Hayley Matthews was the best bowler for the Diamonds taking 2/12 in three overs.

In a game played simultaneously at the Wilson Road Recreation Ground in Penal, Angels dismissed Gladiators for 55 in 19.2 overs. Bissoon was unplayable ending with brilliant figures of four wickets for three runs in 3.2 overs.

TT cricketer Shenelle Lord took 3/8 in three overs, while Grenadian Akira Peters picked up 2/6 in four overs. Barbadian Shakera Selman fought hard for Gladiators hitting 19.

Britney Cooper led Angels to 56/4 in 10.2 overs with an unbeaten 14, while Shania Abdool also contributed 14. Felicia Walters was the pick of the bowlers for Gladiators taking 2/13 in two overs.

Today is a rest day but action will resume tomorrow from 7 pm. Gladiators and Diamonds will face off at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, while Starblazers and Angels will play at Munroe Road Recreation Ground, Cunupia.

The top two teams will advance to the final on Friday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba at 7 pm.

SUMMARISED SCORES At Sir Frank Worrell Ground: KJ SPORTS EASTERN DIAMONDS 91/5 (16 overs) – Reniece Boyce 21, Stacy Ann King 15; Rosemary Samaroo 2/21 vs SACHA’S NORTHERN STARBLAZERS 92/2 (14.3 overs) – Chedean Nation 38 not out, Leeann Kirby 33 not out; Hayley Matthews 2/12. Starblazers won by eight wickets.

At Wilson Road Recreation Ground: CREATION GROUP CENTRAL GLADIATORS 55 (19.2 overs) – Shakera Selman 19; Samantha Bissoon 4/3, Shenelle Lord 3/8, Akira Peters 2/6 vs TECU SOUTHERN ANGELS 56/4 (10.2 overs) – Britney Cooper 14 not out, Shania Abdool 14; Felicia Walters 2/13. Angels won by six wickets.

Second ranked Wilson got past sixth seed De Caires 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in a competitive contest to advance to the semifinals. Wilson’s fellow Tobagonian Akiel Duke, who is the top seed in the draw, got a scare against seventh seed Dexter Mahase.

After losing the first set 6-2, Duke won the next two sets 6-4, 6-1 to advance.

The unseeded Joe Cadogan and third seed Richard Chung also progressed to the semifinals.

Cadogan defeated Keshan Moonasar 6-1, 6-0 and Chung was a 6-3, 7-6 winner over eighth seed Jerome Ward. In today’s semifinals Wilson will face Chung and Duke plays Cadogan.

In the veteran singles yesterday, Kendall Cuffy and Rickey Villaroel both advanced to the final with convincing semifinal round victories. Cuffy defeated Everest Simon 6-0, 6-0, while Villaroel got past Frank Ramudit 6-0, 6-0. Cuffy and Villaroel will battle in today’s final.

In the women’s doubles round robin, Lindy Ann Farrier and Keneel Teasdale outlasted Rhyse Houllier and Janay Sealy 6-0, 6-1.

The women’s singles and mixed doubles semifinals will also be played today. In the women’s singles semifinals, Shennelle Mohammed will take on Breana Stampfli and Abigail Jones faces Carlista Mohammed. Matches serve off at 5 pm today.