Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho told representatives from Pacific Police forces to be assertive when it comes to the ability to protect island nations from cyber- crime.

He was speaking at the Cyber Safety Pasifika course at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa on Denarau yesterday.

“We need to send a message that despite the size of our economies, we have the ability to protect ourselves and our “virtual borders” from these cyber-attacks,” he said.

“The catchphrase of – ‘We’re all in this together – let’s look out for ourselves, our family and friends, so that we all stay safe online’ is one that needs to be captured and developed throughout this training,”he said.

“The term ‘digital tsunami’ is being used to describe how technology and the cyber- world are impacting the Pacific.

“Our communities are changing, our people are changing, our children are growing up in a time where technology and staying connected have become real needs in their everyday lives.

“The internet is not new to us in the Pacific, but what is now being made more accessible and the means and modes of staying connected have changed – and we cannot be playing a catch-up game, but rather we need to stay ahead.”