Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding on Cybersecurity Cooperation between Fiji and Australia, under the Vuvale Partnership Agreement.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in a statement said cybersecurity is a cross-cutting and national issue, which is under the purview of the Minister Responsible for Communications.
He said the Department of Communications is bolstering national cybersecurity efforts by involving all relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, in capacity building and other initiatives related to cybersecurity.
The Prime Minister said that the ministry has the responsibility of information and communication technologies (ICT) and online safety laws, including the Cybercrime Act 2021.
The Cybersecurity collaboration with Australia includes the following:
• development of the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Study Report and the operationalization of the CERT;
• the development of the National Cybersecurity Strategy;
• technical cybersecurity collaboration regarding government infrastructure; and
• progressing regional priorities and common interests in regional and international forums including sharing experiences and best practices, which includes collaboration on new and emerging technology such as responsible Artificial Intelligence.
The MOU is valid for a period of five-years.
