International experts head to Belize for regional tech conference

A full line-up of international tech experts will gather in Belize from November 2 to 6, when the capital city plays host to a historic regional ICT development conference.

Among the expert facilitators is Bevil Wooding, the Founder and Executive Director of the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG), Guillermo Cicileo, the Security, Stability and Resiliency Coordinator at the Latin American and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry (LACNIC); and Shernon Osepa, the Manager of Regional Affairs for Latin America and The Caribbean at the Internet Society (ISOC).

Held jointly by LACNIC and CaribNOG, the gathering will provide a space for various key actors in the Latin American and Caribbean Internet to network together and strengthen relationships.

The weeklong conference will address topics ranging from cloud computing, Internet peering, IPv6, DNSSEC, RPKI, and cybersecurity.

“The growing importance of computer networks to Caribbean enterprise cannot be separated from the costly impact of the cyber attacks  these networks constantly face. Caribbean Cybersecurity needs Caribbean cyber-defenders,” said Bevil Wooding, one of the co-founders and  a director of CaribNOG.

“The Caribbean has to invest in development of indigenous human capacity to defend its networks and manage its critical telecommunications and networking infrastructure. Through CaribNOG we are raising a cadre of Caribbean experts to do just that.”

Wooding will deliver the keynote on the opening day, when the event kicks off at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City.

The meeting is hosted by the Belize Public Utilities Commission, and supported by an impressive list of high-profile international organisations including Google, the American Registry for Internet Numbers, Packet Clearing House, BrightPath Foundation, the Internet Cooperation for Assigned Names and Numbers, the Internet Society, the Amsterdam Internet Exchange Caribbean and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union.

The conference is actually two events in one: a joint meeting of LACNIC Caribbean on the Move, and the highly anticipated tenth installment of CaribNOG’s regional gatherings.

CaribNOG10, which takes place from November 3 to 6, will draw industry experts from across the region and around the world. CaribNOG’s regional meetings have developed a well-earned reputation as a critical forum for rich discussions on the region’s technology landscape.

“CaribNOG is always seeking to better position the Caribbean to address critical technology challenges and issues and to navigate our way collective to relevant solutions,” said Stephen Lee, CaribNOG’s Program Coordinator.

The opening day of the weeklong event is dedicated to LACNIC Caribbean on the Move. This fairly fresh addition to the regional tech community’s calendar targets senior policy makers, government officials, regulators, IT professionals, university students, and technology journalists and bloggers.

“Through LACNIC Caribbean on the Move, we’ll be raising awareness of prime Internet issues, and we’ll also be listening to the community’s experiences in fostering open, stable and secure Internet development,” said Kevon Swift, LACNIC’s External Relations Officer for the Caribbean.

Registration is absolutely free, and livestreaming will be available for unregistered remote participants.