In collaboration with Samoa’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
(MCIT) and its Samoa Computer Emergency Response Team (SamCERT) Division, Australia is working
together with Samoa to strengthen its cybersecurity framework and its ability to respond to cyber threats.
This week (17-21 July 2023), Retrospect Labs is delivering a ‘Defensive Readiness and Cyber Security Exercise
Program’, a series of cyber security exercise-based workshops and hands-on training for Samoa’s critical
infrastructure organisations from both private and public sectors. This program was developed by
Retrospect Labs together with MCIT to better reflect Samoa’s cyber security needs. Retrospect Labs, an
Australian-based cybersecurity firm, has been funded by the Australian Government to deliver these
trainings in Samoa and the region.
Australia’s support for Samoa’s cyber security aligns with the Pathway for the Development of Samoa and its
National Cyber-Security Strategy which aims to address cyber-crime, build a modern cyber-safe digital
economy, and promote the appropriate use of technology.
“We know the transformative power of the digital world to connect and lift communities. A safe and secure
digital ecosystem ensures people and ideas continue to flourish. We are working together with Samoa and
the region to ensure we are equipped to tackle the evolving challenges in cyberspace,” said Her Excellency
Emily Luck, Australia’s High Commissioner to Samoa.
“As experienced Incident Responders, we understand firsthand the challenges organisations face in
responding to a cyber security incident. We also understand how catastrophic a cyber incident can be, and
how critical Incident Response skills are to limiting the impact and harm from a cyber incident. We’re very
proud to be delivering our exercise program in Samoa, and to be part of Samoa’s journey to continue to
improve their Incident Response readiness and resilience,” said Ryan Janosevic, the Chief Operating Officer
and Co-Founder of Retrospect Labs.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the Australian Government for their continuous support in
cybersecurity. Through the establishment of SamCERT under the Ministry of Communication and
Information Technology, they have dealt with cyber issues and acted as frontliners in responding to any
cyber incident in Samoa. The training conducted by Retrospect Labs this week is another testament to this
support, and we are grateful for their assistance,” said Lefaoalii Unutoa Auelua-Fonoti, the Chief Executive
Officer of the MCIT.
Australia continues to support Samoa’s cyber aspirations, including through support for MCIT’s SamCERT
Division since its establishment in 2019. SamCERT is Samoa’s National Cyber Security Agency that provides
awareness and support to Samoans and local organisations to be better able to respond to cybersecurity
threats and incidents.