Strategies needed to counter cyberattacks and other threats, says Manpower CEO
JAMAICAN BUSINESSES are being urged to devise strategies to counter cyberattacks and other threats to their enterprises to ensure the continued viability of their operations.
According to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Manpower & Maintenance Services Limited (MMS) Audrey Hinchcliffe, there are many types of untoward occurrences which pose threats to businesses as well as personal property, including pilfering, unacceptable behaviour, cyber interferences, scamming, violence, low productivity, among others.
Hinchcliffe was addressing a gathering of the company’s clients and other business leaders at the 14th annual client’s seminar titled ‘Loss Prevention and Safety, Cybersecurity Threats and Vulnerabilities: What Businesses Unknowingly Overlook,’ held at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston.
“It is against this background that the theme was chosen. We have to work together to face these challenges in a rapidly changing world, and where businesses are coming face to face with negative elements, reflective of a modern society,” she said.
COMMON RISK
“Meanwhile, guest speaker and chief executive officer at GraceKennedy Financial Group Grace Burnett said the possibility of cyberattacks is among the risks that can prevent companies from achieving their strategic objectives.
“The more we use information technology, the more we need a risk-management strategy. Other risks can also include natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes as well as geopolitical risks, which can impact companies that expand their operations overseas,” Burnett said.
She cited changes in policy brought about by recent occurrences like ‘Brexit’ and the change of administration in the United States of America, that can affect Jamaican businesses. She cautioned that it was important for companies to “monitor the environment”.
The seminar was also addressed by a number of other speakers, including Manpower’s loss prevention adviser Robert Finzi-Smith who spoke on loss prevention and safety. The former director of occupational health and safety in the Ministry of Chairman and CEO of Manpower & Maintenance Services Limited Audrey Hinchcliffe (left) shares a moment with head of GraceKennedy Financial Group Grace Burnett at the 14th annual client seminar, organised by MMS and held at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on May 4 to mark Manpower’s 27th anniversary. Labour and Social Security, Robert Chung, addressed workplace safety.
To commemorate its 27th anniversary, MMS also launched Manpower& Maintenance Special Services Limited, with the aim of offering business and consumer solutions. In addition, the company recognised three organisations for being its loyal clients for over 20 years. These included the Tony Thwaites Wing, University of the West Indies which MMS has served since it was founded in 1990; the Spanish Town Hospital, which has been a client for 24 years; and Sagicor (formerly Life of Jamaica) for 23 years.