Thursday 10 October, 2024
Minister for Information and Communications Technology Hon. Timothy Masiu, released a statement last week officiating the October Cybersecurity Month campaign the Department of ICT, the National Information and Communications Technology (NICTA), National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC) is spearheading this month.
Minister Masiu emphasized the critical role of cybersecurity in our digital society, as Papua New Guinea joins the global community in marking Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year’s theme, “Secure Our World”, serves as a call to action for all citizens, businesses, and institutions to take practical steps in safeguarding their digital lives.
“Cybersecurity Awareness Month highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity in our daily lives and encourages individuals and businesses to take important cybersecurity steps every day to secure our world and stay safe online,” Minister Masiu said.
“I want to reiterate the Marape-Rosso Government’s commitment to cybersecurity education and the ongoing efforts through the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).”
Launched in 2004, Cybersecurity Awareness Month has become the world’s foremost initiative aimed at promoting cybersecurity awareness and best practices. This annual event is a collaborative effort involving businesses, government agencies, academic institutions, non-profits, and tribal communities, all working together to educate the public about online safety.
“From mobile to connected home devices, technology is deeply intertwined in our lives,” Minister Masiu added.
“While emerging technologies bring tremendous benefits, they also present opportunities for cybercriminals to disrupt our online activities at home, school, or work.”
Masiu highlighted the four simple actions everyone can take to enhance their cybersecurity:
- Use a password manager – dispel myths about its security and ease of use.
- Enable multifactor authentication on personal devices and business networks.
- Recognize and report phishing, a primary method used by cybercriminals.
- Regularly update devices and turn on automated updates.
The Minister also praised the nation’s progress in digital transformation and cybersecurity compliance.
“Papua New Guinea has made significant strides in its digital transformation journey. The 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) has reported that we have moved from Tier 5 (Building) in 2020 to Tier 3 (Establishing) in 2024. This achievement is a testament to our commitment to aligning with the Medium-Term Development Plan 2023-2027 and ensuring our nation’s digital security meets international standards.”
The ICT Minister acknowledged the contributions of development partners and stakeholders in strengthening Papua New Guinea’s cybersecurity infrastructure, but he was clear that more work lies ahead.
“As we continue to open our country through our digital transformation process, protecting our citizens, especially our children, is of utmost importance. We will maintain our efforts to ensure a secure environment conducive to the development of the ICT sector.”
“I call on all our citizens, businesses, academic institutions, and private individuals to stay alert and use technology responsibly.”