Fiji is currently facing a significant rise in cyber threats, with over 66 percent of all detected threats this year being related to malware, and more than 30 percent attributed to phishing. This alarming trend was revealed in ESET’s Cyber Threat Intelligence Report, which spans from January to April. Anthony Rowell, the Vendor Security Lead at Chillisoft, highlighted these findings during the Fiji CyberSec 2025 conference. He pointed out that cyber threat activity has consistently increased throughout the first quarter, peaking in late April.
Rowell emphasized the persistent nature of threats, which include trojans, phishing campaigns, and exploit-based attacks. These pose notable risks to Fijian organizations, resulting in potential financial fraud, data breaches, and disruptions to services. He remarked, “Weak cybersecurity undermines any country’s goal to be a trusted digital hub. If people hesitate to invest due to risks like ransomware or fraud, it affects the economy as a whole.”
This surge in threats in Fiji mirrors wider regional trends, including a growing reliance on AI-driven attacks and increasing cybersecurity fatigue among under-resourced teams. Despite these challenges, Fiji’s National Digital Strategy 2025–2030 lays out a framework to enhance cyber resilience. However, Rowell emphasized that tangible progress relies heavily on fostering awareness, improving defense mechanisms, and coordinated national response efforts.
Complementing this, previous discussions have indicated that the Fijian government is working on a National Cyber Security Strategy and plans to operationalize the National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT). This initiative aims to strengthen the nation’s ability to address cyber threats through better coordination among various agencies. Additionally, Fiji’s collaboration with Australia reflects its commitment to enhancing its cybersecurity landscape.
Fiji’s existing cybersecurity challenges and strategies present a dual narrative: while the threats loom large, there is a committed effort to establish a secure digital environment. With focused initiatives, there remains an optimistic trajectory toward fostering a more secure and resilient cybersecurity framework that could serve as a model for other nations in the Pacific.
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