We need forward thinking officers who can anticipate and read the cyber security landscape well.

This was the plea by the Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho to more than 20 participants from 12 Pacific Island countries during the opening of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Cyber Safety Pasifika Course (Tier 2) yesterday.
The course is underway at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa on Denarau Island in Nadi and ends on Friday.

Brigadier-General pants that the people they served relied heavily upon them for security.

He said the cyber threats of the first world countries would be at our doorstep sooner rather than later if we were too complacent.

“You were chosen because of your understanding of the complicated cyber world,” Brigadier-General Qiliho said.

“The people you serve will rely on you to keep them safe from the domino effect cybercrimes can have on innocent lives.

“Just as we thought the drug problems of the first world countries would be entering the Pacific a few years back, you and I know that the Pacific is no longer immune to the drug problems faced by developed countries.”

He urged participants to be innovative just as criminals would be.

“The stakes are high when we talk about cyber security attacks because they are often underestimated, but have the potential to create job losses and cripple economies,” Brigadier-General Qiliho said.

“Pacific Police Chiefs have acknowledged the threats and the AFP has graciously come on board by facilitating this training.
“The last piece of this equation is you.”

He added that while the cyber security landscape in the Pacific region was not as challenging as compared to Australia, it did not make us, as Pacific Islanders, less vulnerable to it.

Brigadier-General Qiliho acknowledged the AFP for its willingness to assist Pacific law enforcement agencies.
The course is held from February 4 to February 8.

Edited by Percy Kean

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