THE Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs is strengthening data-sharing protocols across civil defence, cybersecurity, and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, says line Minister Pio Tikoduadua.
Mr Tikoduadua said this during the opening of the Regional Workshop on Hybrid Threats at the RFMF Headquarters Joint Task Force Command, Black Rock Camp in Nadi yesterday. The two-day workshop is organised by the European Union and Republic of Fiji Military Forces in cooperation with the German Embassy in Suva and the Centre for Intelligence and Security.
Mr Tikoduadua said Fiji’s national security strategy recognised the concurrent nature of modern threats.
“It establishes that security is not confined to the military domain, it requires coordination across Government and engagement across society,” he said.
The ministry is investing in maritime domain awareness.
“We are advancing our maritime security strategy to ensure that command and coordination structures are established before crisis even occurs.
“Through initiatives such as the Maritime Essential Service Centre, we are building the capacity to integrate intelligence and response functions.”
Mr Tikoduadua said the co-location of maritime and communication services enabled real-time coordination between patrol units and disaster management authorities.
“But we are also clear that no country can address hybrid threats alone, this workshop reflects that reality.
“It brings together expertise from the Pacific and from Europe. It connects practitioners, policymakers, and analysts.”
The minister said the convergence of disaster response and hybrid threat activity presented a complex challenge to national security.
“It requires us to alter our baseline understanding of resilience. Resilience must extend beyond infrastructure.
“It must include the continuity of government systems and institutions. It must ensure information integrity, redundancy in supply chains, and the protection of sovereign data and maritime assets during periods of vulnerability.”
He said Fiji had taken deliberate structural steps in this direction.
