Australia has committed to working hand in hand to increase Vanuatu’s ability to respond to significant cyber incidents, says Johanna Weaver, Assistant Secretary Cyber Affairs Branch, DFAT.

Australia supported and engaged in the Asia Pacific regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) that was hosted for the first time in the Pacific by Vanuatu.

A recent 3-day Cybersecurity conference at Warwick, Le Lagon sought to review and improve cyber strategies in Vanuatu.

The conference which was hosted by the Oceania Cyber security Centre, based in Victoria, Australia, saw Government and private sector representatives from the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) departments attending the event.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations (UN) agency, has held a workshop at Warwick Le Lagon to promote cyber security in Vanuatu.

One of their roles is to assist UN member countries in their ICT journey and facilitate International Cooperation on Cybersecurity. In doing this, they also provide assistance at an International level.

In June 2018, Vanuatu launched its national Computer Emergency Response Team, CERT Vanuatu (CERT VU).

The CERT was formed as a result of a cooperative multistakeholder process to enhance and strengthen Vanuatu’s national security. CERT VU continues to pursue its objectives of responding to malicious incidents, promoting cybersecurity awareness, and ensuring the accountability and integrity of Vanuatu’s IP networks.

Vanuatu is the third country in the Pacific to launch its Computer Emergency Response Team.

The Government of Vanuatu through the Prime Minister’s office has officially launched Vanuatu’s National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) this week at the Ramada Resort.