-1791791059339-w300.jpg "Dominican Republic Focuses on Resilience in National Cybersecurity Strategy")
The Dominican Republic is experiencing a rise in reported cyber incidents, a trend that Carlos Leonardo, Executive Director of the National Cybersecurity Centre (CNCS), interprets as a sign of progress rather than a worsening threat landscape. Leonardo, who also directs the National Cryptographic Institute, emphasized the importance of understanding the difference between the number of incidents reported and the actual level of risk.
According to Leonardo, improved reporting channels and increased willingness among organizations to engage with national authorities have led to greater visibility of cyber incidents. He stated that this trend reflects “institutional maturity” rather than an expansion of threats.
The CNCS measures its effectiveness through various indicators, focusing on detection capabilities, response times, and recovery performance, rather than simply counting incidents. “While preventing every attack is impossible, our goal is to achieve rapid detection and response while maintaining continuity of operations,” he said.
Leonardo has been instrumental in developing the country’s cybersecurity framework since the first National Cybersecurity Strategy was created in 2018, which laid the groundwork for protecting citizens and critical services from cyber threats. The establishment of the CSIRT-RD, the national incident response team, was a response to the challenges of handling incidents in isolation, he noted.
Institutional Growth and Collaboration
The CNCS’s structure has evolved over the past decade. Collaborations with government agencies, private sectors, and international partners have shaped a governance framework to centralize coordination and improve incident response, underscoring the need for real-time threat intelligence sharing.
In partnership with a Security Operations Centre (SOC), the CSIRT-RD works to enhance the country’s capability to identify and address threats as they arise. Leonardo stated that the core principles established in 2018, including critical infrastructure protection and public awareness, remain vital as the threat landscape continues to evolve.
Emerging Threats and AI Integration
He cautioned against overly stringent security measures that may impede access to services, advocating for tailored controls based on specific risks instead of blanket restrictions across networks.
Focus on Protection and Resilience
Cybersecurity extends beyond technical protections, Leonardo asserts, emphasizing the necessity to address individual digital safety. The CNCS has joined the initiative StopNCII.org, aimed at helping victims of non-consensual intimate imagery by sharing digital fingerprints to block the distribution of harmful content without compromising victim privacy.
“This initiative underscores that cybersecurity is ultimately about protecting people,” Leonardo noted, highlighting the growing need for resilience as digital technologies become integral to daily life.
Looking forward, the CNCS intends to focus on resilience building, protecting critical services, and fostering international cooperation to ensure that trust remains central to the Dominican Republic’s digital future. Leonardo concluded, “Cybersecurity is no longer only about technology; it is about supporting sustainable economic growth and protecting the rights and opportunities of our citizens.”
