Ms Abigail Bradshaw CSC, Head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre
(ACSC)
Mr Chairman, Paula Mau,
Members of the Executive Committee,
Members of the PaCSON Community, Associate and Affiliate Members,
PaCSON Partners, Sponsors and Speakers,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Talofa Lava and Warm Greetings from Samoa once again. It gives me great
privilige on behalf of the Government of Samoa to address you today, in
recognisition of our nations first National Computer Emergency Response
Team or SamCERT. It is fitting that this significant milestone for Samoa,
has coincided with the PaCSON 2021 AGM Meeting.
Ministry of Communications
and Information Technology
Beach Road, Level 6, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi Building, Sogi, Private Bag, Apia, SAMOA
Telephone: +685 26 117 | Facsimile: +685 24 671 | E-mail: mcit@mcit.gov.ws
Before I proceed, the Ministry of Communications and Information
Technology have compiled a short clip to showcase Samoa’s Cybersecurity
journey thus far. The Government of Samoa have over the years placed
priority on the development of its ICT landscape given the widespread
proliferation of IT on a global scale and for which Samoa was determined to
be in par with. And with this drive in the IT Sector, the Government
endorsed the establishment of SamCERT, recognising the importance of
Cybesecrutiy and Cyber Safety practices, given that no one nation is immune
from the threats of cybersecurity. This led to the development of Samoa’s
first ever National Cybersecurity Strategy in 2016.
The implementation of this strategic document as a starting point, led to the
forging of partnerships between key agencies in the IT Sector, with the main
goal of promoting and raising awareness in an effort to build a strong and
secure cyber space for our small and vulnerable island nation. This work, not
only involved building resilient critical infrustruture and digital platforms,
but also on strengthening the capacity of the workforce to maintain and
sustain the security of emerging digital technologies and services. These
developments were made possible with continued support and collaboration
from Regional and International affiliations and Development Partners. It
would be amiss of me not to mention the significant work conducted and
extended by various organisations to the Government of Samoa, for the
establishment of SamCERT which include the following:
Ministry of Communications
and Information Technology
Beach Road, Level 6, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi Building, Sogi, Private Bag, Apia, SAMOA
Telephone: +685 26 117 | Facsimile: +685 24 671 | E-mail: mcit@mcit.gov.ws
Government of Australia (DFAT) through ACSC, TrustWave
Government of New Zealand through CERT NZ & NetSafe
British High Commission to Samoa & GetSafe Online
US Embassy Samoa Office & FBI
PaCSON
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
The Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT)
The Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre (GCSCC)
The University of Oxford
The Oceania Cyber Security Centre (OCSC)
Australia Federal Police & Cyber Safety Pasifika
APNIC
PITA
UNESCAP
SITA
Welchman Keen
In addition to support from the international community the Samoa
Information Technology Association, or SITA, was established in 2019. The
establishment of SITA brought together IT experts from across Government
and the Private Sector, ultimately strengthening Samoa’s capacity, to deliver
training and awareness campaigns across the country, amongst all other
Ministry of Communications
and Information Technology
Beach Road, Level 6, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi Building, Sogi, Private Bag, Apia, SAMOA
Telephone: +685 26 117 | Facsimile: +685 24 671 | E-mail: mcit@mcit.gov.ws
developmental work and contributions to the Sector. Last year also saw
SITA and APNIC partnering to host a Joint Cybersecurity Conference on our
shores.
The ICT Sector also continues to work collaboratively with the Law
Enforcement Sector as work centered around cybercrimes and digital
forensics. Samoa, through the assistance provided by the US Embassy in
Samoa, facilitated a Cybersecurity forensic training, conducted by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
In addition to this, Samoa was invited, alongside its neighboring Pacific
countries, to be part of the Cyber Safety Pasifika, an initiative implemented
by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), focusing on upskilling the police
force in managing cybercrime investigations.
Other notable developments saw the recent launching of the Samoan
language Get Safe Online website, through the assistance of the British
GetSafe Online Organisation, who have also kindly provided capacity
building for our local cybersecurity ambassadors.
Last, but most certainly not the least, Samoa takes pride in being a founding
member of the Pacific Cybersecurity Operational Network. The Network has
provided the forum and avenue for members in the Region, to share
information that will assist in our collaborative cybersecurity efforts and
Ministry of Communications
and Information Technology
Beach Road, Level 6, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi Building, Sogi, Private Bag, Apia, SAMOA
Telephone: +685 26 117 | Facsimile: +685 24 671 | E-mail: mcit@mcit.gov.ws
build our cybersecurity capacities, so as to enable our respective Countries to
operate in more dynamic cybersafe environment.
Within this short span of time ladies and gentlemen, Samoa has with the
tremendous support and drive from the Government and Development
Partners, has been able to make notable milestones in its Cybersecurity
efforts. The Government is committed to continuing its work, in maintaining
and building necessary partnerships in its cybersecurity domain, to ensure
that, together with our partners in the Region and abroad, we remain at the
forefront of securing the nation from potential and looming cyber threats and
cyber attacks.
Today, during PaCSON’s 3rd Annual General Meeting, I am delighted to
announce, that Samoa has met this crucial pillar of its National
Cybersecurity Programme, with the recognising of the National Computer
Emergency Response Team. With the existence of three submarine cables,
stregnthenings Samoa’s connectivity with the rest of the world, it is in the
Government’s best interest to protect our security, and ensure Samoa is a
safe place to reside, work, and do business.
As we all understand, no one Government can work in isolation, hence the
importance of our collaborative efforts in combating threats to our shores.
Protecting the security of our respective nations remain an ongoing
responsibility – it will always be a work in progress. With today’s
Ministry of Communications
and Information Technology
Beach Road, Level 6, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi Building, Sogi, Private Bag, Apia, SAMOA
Telephone: +685 26 117 | Facsimile: +685 24 671 | E-mail: mcit@mcit.gov.ws
recognition of SamCERT in operation, Samoa is better prepared, better
equipped, better informed, better connected, and ultimately more resilient.
I take this opprotunity, to reiterate, on behalf of the Government of Samoa,
with specific mention of the Hon Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sailele
Malielegaoi and the Hon Minister of Communications and Information
Technology, Afamasaga Toeolesulusulu Lepuia’i Rico Tupai and the former
CEO, Afioga Tua’imalo Asamu Ah Sam, as the drivers behind this crucial
initiative, and the people of Samoa, to express our sincere appreciation to the
Government of Australia, through its Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade, and the Government of New Zealand through CERT NZ, for your
continued support and in-kind assistance in the establishment of SamCERT.
With these words of appreciation, I now respectfully declare the Samoa
Computer Emergency Response Team in operation!
Thank you
Soifua ma ia Manuia