Tasks

In accordance with its role, the Department is tasked with:

1. Maintaining the Force’s Website, Electronic Mailbox and Internet Services
2. Providing Local and Wide Area Network connectivity for the Force
3. Selecting and Training IT staff
4. Providing Automated and Computerized electronic security services for the Force
5. Implementing and enforcing adequate Information Systems Security Policies
6. Providing Information Systems in an Operational environment

Short History

The Information Technology Department of the Guyana Defence Force was established during August 1997 with the first Officer Commanding then Lieutenant (Coast Guard) Floyd Levi. Recruitment was done throughout the Force for qualified members to be enlisted at the Unit.  The first batch of staff members included Lt(CG) F Levi, Staff Sergeant Dwain Thomas who was the Department Sergeant Major, Woman Civilian Claudia Paterson, Corporal Collin Henry and Corporal Mark Anthony, Recruit Marvin Halley (Resigned as a Sergeant), Recruit Mark Pearson, and Recruit Mark Sinclair (Presently a Captain). During 2004, the department was divided into two major sections namely Hardware and Software respectively. Lieutenant Commander (Army Major equivalent) Levi’s substantive successors included Major Julius Skeete, Major Kenloyd Roberts, Major Sean Harmon and Woman Major Lorraine Foster who was the first female Officer to command the Department.

Officers Commanding

The following Officers served as substantive Officer Commanding of the IT Department

Lt Cdr (CG)    F Levi   
Maj                  J Skeete 
Maj                  K Roberts

Lt Cdr (CG)   S Harmon (Current Officer Commanding)
W/Maj             L Foster

Organisation

The IT Department is divided into four main sections:

Headquarters
Hardware Section
Software Section 
Training Section

Training

The Unit coordinates its own training internally for its Ranks.  The training Section is specialised with training in Hardware and Software.  The Unit has trained at various levels from which soldiers were able to acquire their A Plus and Network Plus Certifications, which has helped to boost the Hardware Section substantially.  On the Software side, training is done on the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) curriculum.  Further training is done at external institution such as Global Technology for Other Ranks. Training is primarily done at external institutions for Officers and Senior Non Commissioned Officers namely, University of Guyana, School Of Information Technology Georgia USA and the Government Technical Institute.