The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is partnering with CERT NZ with support from Cyber Safety Pasifika, NetSafe, Ministry of Police and Prisons, Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture and Office of the Regulator will be in Savaii from 1-4 August 2023 for the inaugural 7-day campaign called the ‘Cyber SMART Samoa Roadshow’ funded by CERT NZ and the New Zealand Government. The theme of the roadshow is ‘Samoa e! Mataala,’ and the Ministry aims to promote this slogan in every household in every community.
The Ministry extends its thanks to CERT NZ and the New Zealand Government for its partnership and policy and logistical support with the establishment and delivery of this “first of its kind” initiative which was developed during bilateral discussions earlier this year. This highlights a significant lift in our cyber relationship and underscores our commitments as nations to support a Cyber Safe Samoa. Through this partnership we hope that Samoa can become the first Pacific Nation to recognize information and partnership as a source of strength in all aspects of social, political, and economic growth.
The roadshow highlights the importance of an all-eco-system approach to increasing Samoa’s Cyber resilience. This inter-agency approach will deliver a bespoke and culturally responsive programme that will cover all colleges in Savaii with sessions for students and the Parent Teacher Associations (PTA). The sessions will focus on lifting the profile of Samoan Ministries and their role within the Cyberspace. They will also educate students on ethics, how to navigate and use technology wisely. The PTA sessions will also focus on current cyber trends in Samoa, informing of incident log processes, cyber safety tips, upskilling their capability to help their children navigate the matters that may arise while online and how to support and supervise their children in their use of technologies and online services.
As a part of this roadshow, church ministers and elders from various denominations are supporting this initiative by hosting evening sessions for their respective communities. All agencies involved will provide valuable cyber related information to key members of the communities to support the establishment of Cyber Smart Samoa advocates in Savai’i. Furthermore, we will also discuss cyber incident processes, challenges arising from internet usage and high mobile phone penetration.
A key outcome of the roadshow is a report which will support the development of Samoa’s cyber legislation to enhance its incident handling process and address cybersecurity matters. This report will be presented to members of parliament during their session on Monday 7 August 2023. The roadshow aims to draw attention to everyone’s responsibilities online, local, national and at the international level. In addition, the importance of data, especially personal information, in shaping the future.
The 2023 high-level closed-door Cyber and Tech Retreat will take place in San Francisco and Silicon Valley on May 15-17, 2023. The Retreat brings together governments, tech companies, academics and senior industry leaders to discuss a range of issues arising from cybersecurity to the impact of emerging technology on foreign policy and global security. Participants will come from selected like- minded countries across Europe, North America, Indo-Pacific, Africa and South America with a forward-leaning approach to technological diplomacy. Participants are committed to engaging constructively with tech companies, recognizing the need for better collaboration between industry and governments to address the perils of emerging technologies and harness the promises. CEO MCIT and some of the participants during the initial activity of the retreat.
Ministry of Communications & Information Technology hosted a Digital Week with the Office of the Regulator from the 24th to the 27th of April,2023.
This week was filled with various activities such as cybersecurity for teachers and parents, MissMakesCode event for 7-12 years old girls , A.I (artificial intelligence) event for High School girls and the lastly the Girls in ICT program competitition where different schools registered and presented their final project creation prototype for the judges to make a decision on the placings.
Samoa’s Minister for Information and Communications Technology (MCIT) has called for global unity to address challenges in the digital era.
Hon. Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo is in London this week representing Samoa at the inaugural Ministerial Alliance for Digital Nations facilitated by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization.
Dedicated to affordable universal broadband connectivity, the meeting brings together ICT and Telecommunications Ministers from the Commonwealth to deliberate on the concerns and challenges being faced by Commonwealth countries in achieving affordable universal broadband connectivity.
Also joining the Ministers are Senior ICT policy makers and regulators, Captains of ICT industry, C-level executives of ICT organisations, and Heads of international and regional organisations.
Hon. Toelupe is accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of MCIT, Lefaoali’i Unutoa Auelua where the duo enlightened the audience on Samoa’s commitment to provide free internet to schools as part of the government’s vision to fostering social harmony, safe and freedom for all.
“And to ensure that we stay committed to that vision, one of our priorities is creating transformative opportunities through the innovative use of information and communication technology,” Hon. Toelupe told the audience.
“This year, the government of Samoa used satellite to offer free internet to about 95 per cent of schools in Samoa. If we are to stay true to our future of digital transformation, we should start from our young ones.”
Small island economies like Samoa will always be challenged by the fast changing digital era where resources are critical to ensure national access and affordability. However, Hon. Toelupe strongly believes in encouraging equal treatment of everyone through the digitization process.
“Samoa has its own challenges from infrastructural upgrades to policy and legislation framework, to connectivity concerns and the need for ICT funding support, the threshold question is, so much we would like to transform the lives of o citizens through digitization of their daily lives but their safety from cyberattacks and bullying?”
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