New and emerging cyber threats has forced government to review an eight-year-old policy- the 2015 National Cyber Security Strategy.
Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica revealed this to participants of the 23rd Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Policy and Regulatory Forum in Nadi yesterday and stressed on the need of the Fijian government to put in place policy, regulatory, technical and legal safeguards that protect people and businesses.
“With all the benefits and the opportunities of the digital world, it does increase the cyber threat landscape,” Mr Kamikamica said.
“We have all seen the spate of high-profile malicious cyber activities and these are becoming more sophisticated, multi-faceted and recurring in nature.
“As a matter of priority, we are finalising our national Computer Emergency Response Team Study and we have the Online Safety Act that promotes online safety to increase awareness and education on responsible online behaviour and the use and provision of personal information.”
The deputy Prime Minister said the government also has in place the Cybercrime Act which is aligned to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and has partnered with the Council of Europe to develop tailored capacity building programme to combat cybercrime activities. Given the trans-boundary nature of cyberspace, Mr Kamikamica indicated that it was crucial that Fiji became part of the global ICT discussions in order to foster a secure, peaceful, stable and interoperable cyberspace.
“There is much work ahead of us, however, this presents a unique opportunity to deliver inclusive digital development that leaves no one behind. “I am convinced that together, we can build a safe, resilient, accessible, and interoperable cyber space.”
