Standards Australia has released a report focused on cybersecurity in the Pacific region. Pacific Islands Cyber Security Standards Cooperation Agenda sets out recommendations on how to strengthen cybersecurity in the Pacific Islands with the use of standards.
The report, which includes Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu, recommends greater access to funding, resources, and technical assistance as well as the development and adoption of internationally aligned cybersecurity standards.
Australia’s digital economy is a rapidly growing contributor to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), estimated to be worth $139 billion by 2020. One of the challenges to this growth lies in cybersecurity, a problem shared by many fellow Pacific Island nations.
“To help enhance and protect the digital economy in Australia and the Pacific region, Standards Australia has been working alongside the standard bodies and governments of the Pacific Islands to promote and build cyber security regulations,” says Standards Australia CEO Adrian O’Connell.
This scope of work is delivered in support of Australia’s International Cyber Engagement Strategy and aimed at encouraging innovative cybersecurity solutions.
“Standards are an important tool which supports legislation and policy for the benefit of the public,” says the organization’s ambassador for cyber affairs, Tobias Feakin. “At the same time standardization promotes innovation by not only disseminating knowledge and ideas but more importantly provides structure and processes which save time in developing and implementing new ideas.”
Cybersecurity standards can protect business data, which in turn helps build confidence in clients, customers, and partners.
“This report is an important step in outlining how standards can support and protect not only our economy but those of our closest neighbors,” says O’Connell. “Standards Australia looks forward to providing ongoing assistance to the Pacific region and facilitating the protection of its digital economy through the promotion of cybersecurity standards.”