Confronting Digital Challenges: Cyber Security and Regional Security in the Pacific

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Seminar 6, held on April 3, 2025, turned attention to one of the most pressing and under-researched security challenges in PNG and the wider Pacific region—cyber security. As part of the PG420 unit on international and regional security, the seminar also addressed broader capacity constraints in Pacific security systems, the role of international partners, and the growing threat posed by transnational crime. The session laid the groundwork for understanding how digital and physical security threats intersect in complex ways across the region. The full recording is now available on my YouTube channel.

Screenshot of the video

The seminar opened with a review of recent developments in regional security frameworks and the importance of donor support in helping Pacific Island countries meet growing security challenges. Participants discussed how digital changes, urbanization, and limited infrastructure are reshaping the security environment in PNG. A recurring theme was the urgent need for security strategies that can keep pace with the rapid rise of digital technologies and their misuse, particularly in areas with limited governance structures and enforcement capacity.

A key highlight was the proposal of a network security approach that integrates community cooperation, local authorities, and national police with digital oversight mechanisms. This community-centered strategy emphasizes cultural sensitivity, sustainability, and public trust in securing both cyberspace and the physical environment. The discussion made clear that effective cyber security must be rooted in localized solutions, even when engaging with global technologies and transboundary threats.

Another segment of the seminar focused on the role of external donors—such as Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., China, and multilateral institutions—in supporting Pacific nations with funding, training, and technology. While donor support was acknowledged as critical to building capacity, concerns were also raised about over-reliance, shifting donor priorities, and bureaucratic obstacles that limit long-term strategic autonomy. It was emphasized that Pacific institutions need to become not just well-managed, but also financially resilient and locally driven.

Regional cooperation was identified as essential for tackling transnational crimes such as drug trafficking and illegal fishing. The seminar addressed how data-sharing agreements, intelligence exchange mechanisms, and coordinated operations can help overcome limitations in police capacity, particularly in small island states. Participants called for greater integration of Pacific Island law enforcement agencies through platforms like the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency and the Oceania Customs Organization.

Discussion also covered the impact of evolving digital infrastructure on national sovereignty, with particular attention given to the geopolitics of telecommunications and the ambiguous roles of private sector actors. This highlighted the importance of strategic decision-making around digital infrastructure development, which often implicates broader questions of trust, surveillance, and international alignment in regional politics.

One of the gaps identified was the lack of academic and policy research focused specifically on cyber security in PNG. Existing literature is sparse, and much of the discussion relied on external sources. It was suggested that more localized studies are needed—particularly on how platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp are shaping public perception, political discourse, and social mobilization within PNG. Participants were encouraged to pursue research in these areas to better inform national policy.

The seminar concluded with a preview of the next topic—climate change and environmental security—which will continue to explore how non-traditional threats are reshaping the Pacific security landscape. The takeaways from Seminar 6 underscored that digital change and cyber threats must now be treated as core components of any comprehensive regional security strategy. Without investing in research, coordination, and capacity building, Pacific Island nations risk falling further behind in an increasingly digital world. 

You can watch the full seminar here: Seminar 6 – Cyber Security and Digital Challenges in PNG.

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