Cybersecurity is not only a technical challenge, it is an opportunity to empower our people, drive economic growth and sustainable development, and safeguard our security.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications Manoa Kamikamica highlighted this during the opening of the Pacific Cyber Week at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort early this week.
Mr Kamikamica shared with cybersecurity leaders and policy makers the outcomes he would like to see from Pacific Cyber Week:
m Aligning cyber capacity-building with the region’s priorities — including our priorities set out in the Lagatoi Declaration Action Plan, endorsed by Pacific ICT Ministers last week. The ten recommendations from the last Pacific Cyber Capacity Building Coordination Conference (P4C) need to be mapped against the Lagatoi Declaration Action Plan, linked to tangible initiatives and key deliverables.
- Investing in the Pacific’s cyber workforce and skills – to develop, attract and retain cybersecurity talent in the Pacific. This means focusing on cyber education; having quality learning opportunities at our universities; and, creating fulfilling career pathways for cyber professionals.
- Collectively implementing the UN eleven norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace.
- Strengthening public-private partnerships which is essential to enhancing the Pacific’s collective cybersecurity resilience. Industry and academia bring critical expertise, innovation, and visibility into emerging threats.
“By deepening collaboration, we can better protect critical sectors, share threat intelligence and knowledge, and build a safer digital environment for the Pacific,” Mr Kamikamica said.
“I am pleased to see increasing participation of our industry partners and encourage your close collaboration. As we look to the future of cybersecurity in the Pacific, let us commit to build a secure, inclusive and resilient digital region. As I said at the ICT Ministerial Dialogue last Friday, when we talk about our regional efforts on cybersecurity I am reminded of the proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
“I encourage you all to make the most out of your time at Pacific Cyber Week. Reflect on the progress we have made towards a cyber-secure and resilient region.”
Mr Kamikamica also encouraged partners in the Blue Pacific to invest in confidence-building measures aligned with these norms, to help ensure an open, secure and peaceful cyberspace that supports sustainable development and regional security.