Various forms of cyber-intrusions occur in Fiji on a daily basis, which can be likened to the exposure of confidential information and online behaviour by complete strangers.
These were the sentiments echoed by the Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration, Joketani Cokanasiga while opening a two-day National Cyber Security public consultations workshop today.
“Aside from these security breaches, there are economic and social considerations such as the impact of cyber security related acts on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Fiji,” Minister Cokanasiga said.
“Issues of child online pornography, intellectual property infringements have an impact on communities.”
The minister also pointed out that since the first Ministry of Defence workshop in 2011, keen interest had been shown by stakeholders expressing their commitment and enthusiasm in ensuring that as a nation, there was a collaboration to ensure efforts to strengthen security were heightened.
“The Government of Fiji through its Cabinet had mandated in 2011 that work be done in strengthening Fiji’s Cyber Environment through commissioning the Fiji Cyber Security Working Group to undertake the role of awareness, outreach, and training with the task of working towards a National Strategy, Policy and legislation,” Minister Cokanasiga said.
“Government is pleased to collaborate with the University of the South Pacific as the leading academic institution in the Pacific region to host consultations with stakeholders and the general public in the open forum that will held tomorrow.”
The workshop is expected to help form the baseline for the continuing efforts to develop the Cyber Security Strategy, Policy and Legislation.