Fiji’s Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, emphasized the nation’s unwavering commitment to bolstering its legislation, training, and technical resources to combat the rising threat of cybercrime, which poses significant risks to the economy. Speaking at the Regional Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence Workshop held at the Shangri-La Fijian Resort, he highlighted the introduction of the Cybercrime Act 2021 and Fiji’s membership in the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, reaffirming the country’s alignment with international standards.
Turaga stressed the importance of continuously updating laws, training law enforcement personnel, and enhancing both national and regional capabilities in the fight against digital crime. He urged participants of the workshop to collaborate effectively to safeguard the Pacific’s digital environment and to take this opportunity to develop strategies and strengthen partnerships.
“No foreign nation or hacker should be able to compromise our security or economies,” he declared, underlining the necessity of regional resilience and solidarity. He acknowledged that Fiji is not immune to cyber threats, pointing to the increasing prevalence of issues such as phishing, ransomware, and financial fraud, including the recent M-Paisa scam.
The workshop aimed to enhance participants’ skills in cybercrime prevention and the management of electronic evidence, gathering law enforcement officials and legal experts to exchange knowledge and strategies. Hosted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and supported by the European Union for the Pacific, the European Commission, and the Council of Europe, this initiative reflects Fiji’s dedication to improving the capabilities of Pacific nations in combating cybercrime and tackling digital threats.
In a hopeful light, the concerted efforts shown at this workshop are indicative of a proactive approach to ensuring the safety and security of digital spaces in the Pacific, demonstrating Fiji’s leadership and collaboration in addressing modern challenges.
Summary: Fiji is committed to combating cybercrime through enhanced legislation and training, as highlighted by Minister Siromi Turaga at a recent workshop focused on improving regional capabilities. Fiji’s proactive measures, including the Cybercrime Act 2021 and regional collaboration, position the nation as a leader in digital security within the Pacific.
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