The National Data Management Authority (NDMA) discovered and blocked several attempts to hack the Guyana government’s database earlier this year, but the agency denies that there was a successful cyber espionage campaign.

This announcement from the National Data Management Authority follows a recent report by Researchers at the Slovakia-based cybersecurity firm ESET. The Researchers identified malicious activity within Guyana’s networks in February 2023.

But the NDMA in a statement said its cybersecurity division has indicted that no successful cyber-espionage malware was found on the Government of Guyana’s Network.

According to the NDMA’s General Manager, Christopher Deen, matters of cybersecurity and potential threats to Guyana’s digital infrastructure are taken seriously. He said a comprehensive investigation is underway.

“We have launched extensive investigations both in and out of the government’s network to determine the validity of this report. Based on information currently available, a spear-phishing attempt was made against a Government Ministry. The security systems employed intercepted this attempt and nullified its effects. I take this opportunity to note that locally, NDMA has detected and mitigated some 442 malware attacks at government agencies in the first quarter of 2023.”

The NDMA said even as its investigations continue, it has contact with the cybersecurity firm that made the claims to gather additional information, verify the data shared, and ascertain the firm’s source. However, it has not received any information from the firm as yet.

“Even as ongoing inquiries continue into the alleged incident, NDMA remains resolute in its mandate to promote safe cybersecurity practices within government ministries and agencies. In keeping with international best-practice, NDMA operates both a 24/7 security operations centre which provides 24-hour technical support on cybersecurity issues to government agencies; and the Guyana National Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) which serves as a valuable resource for threat response and incident handling. NDMA’s efforts are also complemented by ongoing cybersecurity awareness training initiatives and programmes,” the data management body noted.

The NDMA said the motive of the cybersecurity firm that made the claims must also be questioned.

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