The University of the Caribbean (UNICARIBE), in collaboration with the ISACA Santo Domingo Chapter, held last July 2, 2025 the virtual conference entitled “Cybersecurity Program Audit”, an academic and professional event that brought together experts, students and leaders in the technological and financial fields to discuss the key role played by “Audit in the protection of digital assets in the digital era”. The event was attended by 110 UNICARIBE students.

The main objective of the conference was to socialize the importance of having a formal Cybersecurity Program, structured and approved by Senior Management, as well as to explain its alignment with the business strategy and its impact on organizational sustainability. In addition, methodologies for its adequate audit were addressed.

During the event, it was emphasized that the Cybersecurity Program should not be limited to isolated technical controls, but should be understood as a strategic roadmap that guides the organization in protecting its information, systems and reputation in the face of growing digital risks.

Wilson Andia Cuiza, recognized International Consultant in Cybersecurity and IT Auditing, with more than 22 years of experience in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The conference agenda addressed the following key topics:

• Updated Cybersecurity statistics presented by ISACA International and ENISA, along with relevant occupational fraud data from the Association of Certified Fraud Evaluators (ACFE) worldwide.
• Main digital fraud risks and their link to inefficient or absent controls in technological environments.
• Definition and structure of an effective Cybersecurity Program, with the support of Senior Management as an essential element of governance.
• Enterprise Architecture as a critical tool to understand the interaction between business processes and technology.
• Standards and frameworks such as ISO/IEC 27032:2023 and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 (CSF 2.0), essential for designing, implementing and maintaining a robust Cybersecurity Program.
• The role of IT Audit, both internal and external, in program evaluation, following standards such as ISACA International’s ITAF.

During the conclusion, the lecturer highlighted:

“The Cybersecurity Program is much more than a set of technical controls: it is the strategic roadmap that guides the protection of information, systems and business continuity. Auditing such a program involves validating that there is a clear organizational vision, approved and endorsed by senior management. A well-executed audit not only identifies gaps, but enhances the maturity of the program and its contribution to business objectives.”

The importance of university students specializing in areas such as Cybersecurity, IT Audit and Cyber Risk Management was reiterated, and for organizations to strengthen their technology governance and digital resilience by implementing and continuously auditing their cybersecurity programs.

Institutional commitment to cybersecurity:

UNICARIBE reaffirms its commitment to continuing education and the training of competent professionals to meet the challenges of the digital environment.
For its part, ISACA Santo Domingo maintains its mission to disseminate knowledge and best practices that raise the level of maturity of cybersecurity in the country and the region.

During the event, it was announced that these conferences will continue to be held on a recurring basis, inviting the university and professional community to actively participate.

Special thanks to Mr. Gary Orel Cabrera Columna, Vice Rector of Digital Transformation of UNICARIBE, for his constant openness and support to this type of initiatives, and to Mr. Emmanuel De La Cruz, Program Chair of ISACA Santo Domingo Chapter, for his leadership and overall coordination of the event.

Finally, the ISACA FULL DAY 2025 was announced, the chapter’s most important annual event, which will be held next Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Catalonia Hotel, Santo Domingo. Remember that UNICARIBE students receive a discount on various certifications and events organized by ISACA Santo Domingo.

Authors:
Eng. Wilson Andia Cuiza – ISACA Santo Domingo.
Eng. Emmanuel De La Cruz – ISACA Santo Domingo.
Mtro. Gary Orel Cabrera Columna – School of Technology UNICARIBE