Papua New Guinea now has a state-of-the-art National Cyber Security Centre to protect its digital assets from threats in cyberspace.
The new facility was jointly launched on Thursday (November 15th) by Minister for Communications, Information Technology and Energy, Sam Basil, and Australian Foreign Minister Senator Marise Payne.
The National Cyber Security Centre, which was jointly funded by the Australian and PNG governments, will enable Papua New Guinea to benefit from advanced communications technology while protecting its critical information and communications technology infrastructure from incidents.
In the near term, the Centre will play a key role in securing the APEC Leaders’ week in Port Moresby. In the longer term, it will enable Papua New Guinea to build its digital economy from a strong and secure position.
Minister Payne was pleased that the project would support Papua New Guinea’s longer term aspiration of economic growth in the 21st century, with potential benefits for all Papua New Guineans.
“Robust cyber security is a fundamental element of growth and prosperity in the global digital economy,” Minister Payne said.
Working with Papua New Guinea to strengthen cybersecurity on the region is an important component of Australia’s broader support to PNG’s digital sector, which also includes the Coral Sea Cable project. This investment aims to see Port Moresby and Sydney connected by a new fibre optic cable by late 2019.
“Australia and Papua New Guinea are committed to working closely together to protect our shared interests in cyberspace.”
Also in attendance was PNG Minister for Lands, Physical Planning and APEC, Justin Tkatchenko, and Australian Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Anne Ruston.
(Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Sam Basil, Minister for Communication, Information Technology and Energy, unveil a plaque commemorating the launch of the National Cyber Security Centre in Port Moresby)