Pacific Cyber Dialogue

9:00am - 11:00am PGT

Cyber Tabletop Exercise, part 1

Over the course of three days, representatives from Pacific Island countries and territories - including officials from government cyber policy and enforcement agencies, and technical experts from CERTS and other relevant network security experts - will participate alongside globally recognized cyber security advisors in a regionally focused cyber security wargame / tabletop exercise.

Andrew Grotto

9:00am - 11:00am PGT

Keynote: The Impact of Cybersecurity on the Pacific’s Future Prosperity

The quality of the Pacific region’s technology backbone is increasingly likely to influence its economic success. As cybersecurity is threatened, investor confidence and ease of doing business in the region could be diminished, and the ability of governments to deliver vital services to citizens could be disrupted.

1:00pm - 2:30pm PGT

Addressing Asymmetries in Cyber Policy in the Region

Practitioners will discuss how to enhance cybersecurity strategy development in the region and how to enhance cooperation between Pacific states on cybersecurity. Asymmetries in cybersecurity strategies/policies across the Pacific region; current coordination challenges between Pacific Island states; external cooperation channels; opportunities for enhanced engagement through existing forums or possible new ones.

Dalsie Baniala

Elvin Prasad

Mika Kerttunen

Klée Aiken

Sarah Sloan

Ben Lokshin

2:30pm - 3:30pm PGT

Cyber Maturity in the Pacific

Governments, organizations, and society at large are subject to increasing threats from cyber criminals and hacktivists which are growing in scale and sophistication. Stakeholders ranging from government policy makers and practitioners, the banking sector, law enforcement, information technology officers and representatives from public-sector entities, critical-infrastructure owners, as well as international partners must work together to enhance and evolve their cyber security architecture in response to these increasing digital threats.

James Boorman

Domingo Kabunare

Susanna Stowers

John Karr

3:45pm - 4:45pm PGT

Cyber Tabletop Exercise, part 2

9:00am - 10:45am PGT

The Challenge of Misinformation Online

Misinformation and disinformation online present numerous challenges for governments, the private sector, and individuals. What are the trends and how can the region address these issues more systematically?

Paul Wilson

Jean-Jacques Sahel

Aaron Berman

Savenaca Siwatibau

Georgina Kiele

Harold Obed

Andrew Grotto

11:00am - 12:00pm PGT

Responding to the COVID-19 Infodemic

Virtual discussion on the challenges faced by Pacific governments and institutions in sharing and verifying important COVID-19 related information online and combating pervasive misinformation. This public session will also serve as a launch event for a new report by The Asia Foundation on false and harmful information about COVID-19 in the region.

Learning from the COVID-19 pandemic, how can government information officers, police, health authorities, reporters, and platform companies work together to improve the quality of online information ecosystems during crises, reduce the spread of falsehoods, and increase public confidence/trust?

Leanne Jorari

Romitesh Kant

Ben Lokshin

1:00pm - 2:00pm PGT

Cyber Safety and Vulnerable Groups

Virtual panel discussion on threats to cyber safety for vulnerable groups in the Pacific, including gender-based violence, abuse of children and young people, and harassment.

Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni

Anne Dunn-Baleilevuka

Rebecca Razavi

Anju Mangal

1:00pm - 2:30pm PGT

Cyber Tabletop Exercise, part 3

3:45pm - 4:45pm PGT

Government Organization for Managing Cyber Risk

The Boe Declaration, adopted by Pacific leaders in 2018, makes cybersecurity one of five strategic areas for the region’s governments. But as more government services and information are provided online, what do Pacific governments need to do better or differently to manage and deter cyber risks?

Flierl Shongol

Andrew Grotto

Tim Wellsmore

Georgina Kiele

5:00pm - 6:00pm PGT

Group Discussion: Finding a Way Forward

The rollout of digital infrastructure has clear implications for modernizing the economies of Pacific Island nations. But as connectivity expands, cyber capacity needs to grow as well. During this closing discussion session, participants will reflect on some of the points raised by panelists and speakers throughout the conference and chart a path forward.

Mika Kerttunen