Government House and the Government of Bermuda have formally commenced work on the Security and Defence Review (SDR), a joint initiative that will help update Bermuda’s national security framework and guide future planning and efficient targeting of budgets across key areas of risk and resilience.
The start of this work delivers on the Government’s commitment in the 2025 Throne Speech to revisit the 2014 Security and Defence Review and ensure Bermuda’s security arrangements remain fit for purpose in a changing environment, with appropriate consideration of those areas reserved to the Governor and those delegated to the Government of Bermuda.
His Excellency, the Governor of Bermuda, Mr Andrew Murdoch CMG, in partnership with the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael Weeks, JP, MP, have developed a review mechanism that will undertake a coordinated, cross-domain assessment of Bermuda’s security and defence posture across land, maritime, air and overlapping domains, the last of these including cyber and critical national infrastructure.
The review will bring together key stakeholders from across Bermuda’s national security architecture, including representatives from the uniformed services, air and marine operations, and cybersecurity.
The review team will also be consulting with UK military and security experts and will hold discussions with the US authorities. The process is intended to support a coherent, inclusive approach that reflects established international standards and best practice.
The Security and Defence Review panel is chaired by Dr Derrick Binns, and panel members include: Ms Catherine Duffy, CPCU, Michael DeSilva, Ombudsman for Bermuda, Capt. Alan Brooks MNI, RN, Calvin L. Smith OTPM Ret. Chief Insp., Maj (Ret) Stephen Caton, ED, CPA, CA, and intern Seon Tatem, LLB.
The review’s primary mandate is to:
- Validate and assess existing risk registers and strategic risk documentation provided by agencies and the Ministry of National Security.
- Assess and make recommendations across key operational domains (land, air, sea, and cross-cutting issues), focusing on the uniformed forces and their ability (including capacity, capability) to respond to Bermuda’s strategic security and defence risks.
- Identify and recommend options for strategic investments, organisational reforms, and capability and capacity enhancements.
- Review national security and defence governance and oversight, and as appropriate, make constitutionally compliant recommendations to improve structures.
- Prepare a final report with, as appropriate, clear costed recommendations
The SDR will provide recommendations to Government House and the Cabinet for consideration. The process will conclude with a final report setting out strategic priorities and key implementation considerations for the future. The final report is due for delivery in September 2026.