In support of the enduring and deep partnership between Australia and PNG, the Australian Government’s Cyber RAPID team delivered a Cyber Security Industry Workshop to key PNG state-owned enterprises in Port Moresby.
Through a tabletop scenario simulating a cyber attack, participants from PNG’s state-owned enterprises learned how to respond to real cyber security incidents and develop stronger cyber security incident response plans.
Dr. Joanne Loundes, Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, opened the workshop, saying that “all businesses and especially critical infrastructure providers need to remain resilient against cyber threats. By continuing to share expertise and learn from each other, Australian and PNG can work together to maximise the opportunities presented by the digital economy”.
“There are significant benefits that come from being increasingly digitised such as online payment systems, online shopping, connection with families and business efficiencies – but this opens us to cyber threats. Malicious cyber actors, be they cyber criminals or groups connected with nation states, are exploiting our connectivity whether to steal our information, spread disinformation and radicalisation campaigns, or disrupt our services,” added Dr Loundes.
Australia’s cyber assistance in the Pacific is guided by Pacific leaders’ security vision set out in the Boe Declaration, the Pacific Islands Forum 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and the Pacific ICT Ministerial Declaration (the Lagatoi Declaration) endorsed at the 2023 Pacific ICT Ministers Dialogue.
Special guests and keynote speakers at the workshop included Professor David Kavanamur, Managing Director of Kumul Consolidated Holdings Ltd, Mr Alastair MacGibbon, Chief Strategy Officer, CyberCX and Mr Matt Dri, Partner, Cyber Response & Forensic Technology, KPMG.
Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Dr Joanne Loundes speaking at the workshop launch.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100