Fiji officials urge a formal cross-sector framework to counter cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure
Assistant Police Commissioner (Crime) Mesake Waqa told the Pacific Fiber Conference and Training in Nadi that Fiji has recorded cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, with some attack modules still undetected, including one described as a regiment cyber-attack. He stressed that threats like these require coordinated responses from government agencies, private IT companies, law enforcement, and the military. Waqa noted that cyber-attacks have become a weapon and many motives remain unidentified, underscoring the need for a clear framework to establish who leads the response and when, not only in Fiji but across the Pacific. He questioned whether the military or the police should take the lead in such incidents and called for a defined framework to guide investigations and responses.
Addressing cyber-crime requires a holistic approach that brings together multiple sectors to strengthen capacity to respond to or mitigate cyber threats, Waqa added. The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to bolster resilience and rapid incident response.
Context and forward-looking framework
Waqa’s remarks come as Fiji continues to bolster its cybersecurity landscape through a broader national push. Recent discussions in Fiji’s security and digital governance circles have focused on formalizing a National Cybersecurity Strategy for 2025–2030, strengthening the national Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), and expanding international partnerships. Fiji has been engaging with allies such as Australia and Japan’s JICA to enhance cyber defense capabilities, and it remains aligned with international standards, including commitments related to cybercrime conventions. The government has underscored that cyber threats are expanding in scale and sophistication, with hundreds of scam cases and high-profile incidents reinforcing the case for robust legal and operational frameworks. The overarching message is that protecting critical infrastructure requires an all-of-society approach, including public-private collaboration, clear leadership roles, and ongoing capacity-building across sectors. The path forward is framed as a hopeful one, aimed at reinforcing Fiji’s digital defenses and setting a regional example for cyber resilience.
Additional value and takeaways
– Cross-sector leadership clarity: Establishing a lead agency framework for cyber incidents will help ensure swift, coordinated action when threats emerge across power, water, transportation, and other critical services.
– Continued investment and capacity-building: Ongoing funding, training, and resources for CERT and allied agencies will be essential to keep pace with evolving cyber threats.
– Regional collaboration: Fiji’s stance reinforces the importance of regional cooperation in the Pacific, encouraging shared drills, information sharing, and joint responses to large-scale cyber incidents.
– Public awareness and reporting: Strengthening reporting mechanisms and public awareness will be key to early detection and mitigation of cybercrime impacts on individuals and organizations.
Summary in Fijian
Na iVakaraitaki ena vosa vakaViti
Na veivakasalataki o Mesake Waqa, na Assistant Police Commissioner (Crime), a tukuna ni sa tuvanaka tiko e dua na veitarogi ni cyber ki na infrastructure bibi e Fiji, ka tiko eso na veika e vakadua me kilai. E kerea na veivakadonaki e dua na ivakarau vakaitikotiko mera kila na veiqaravi me takali kina na gauna ni vakalutu, kei na nodra taqomaki na matanitu, na Kabani IT, na polisia kei na mali. E caka vei ira na veika e vakatuburaki kina ni cyber-attacks e dua na meca, ka tukuna ni dodonu me dua na ivakarau ni kena naataka na leqa qori, me kila o cei na leid viru ni veitarogi e na STEM. Na veika oqo e vakavuqa kina na veitauraga e Pasifika, na veitarogi e doka kina na gauna ni vakadidike.
Na nona tukuna, sa qai vakabibitaki na dodonu ni veivakadonaki ni cyber-crime me baleta na vanua kece e tiko kina na veitavesu me vaka na kena vakavinakataki na rai ni vanua e Fiji. E tuvanaka talega na veivakadonaki ni kena vakananuma na vuli, kena vakavinakataki CERT, kei na veivakadonaki ni veivakadonaki vata kei ira na vanua e rawa kina ni rau veivakadonaki ki na vanua e Pacific. E tukuni talega na veitokoni mai na lami ni vuravura me baleta na kena vakavinakataki na kabilakila ni cybercrime, me vaka na Budapest Convention, kei na veivakadonaki ni lawa me vaka ki na veika e Vakarau kei na UN Cybercrime Treaty. Na ivakarau oqo e raica tiko me dua na kaukaua ni vanua me baleta na cyber threats, ka vakamacalataka na tuvatuva me veivakadonaki tiko ena vanua tani, ena 2025 se wili kina e 2030, ka na dikevi talega na veika e vakatavulici ki na dra ni kena curu mai na matanitu kei na veika vakacakacaka. Na inaki levu oya na tiko vata kei na veivakadonaki me baleta na cybersecurity e dua na vanua ni veivukei, me vakakina na leqa ni cybercrime me wili mai na vanua kece.
Commentary and outlook
– The current discourse signals a positive shift toward structured cyber resilience in Fiji, with explicit calls for clear leadership roles during incidents and a strengthened cross-sector network.
– Fiji’s ongoing cybersecurity agenda, including the National Cybersecurity Strategy and CERT enhancements, positions the country to better protect critical services and data, while regional and international partnerships expand its capabilities.
– A formal framework and continued investment could help Fiji not only defend itself effectively but also serve as a regional model for Pacific cyber resilience.
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