Thursday 27 May 2021
Remarks by the Chief Executive Officer Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, (M.C.I.T.), FUALAU TALATALAGA MATA’U MATAFEO
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.
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:
• 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 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 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 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
