By ZEBEDEE KUMPIO
PAPUA New Guinea has made a significant leap in the global cybersecurity landscape, climbing from Tier 5 to Tier 3 in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index Report, the fastest progress in the Asia-Pacific region.
This achievement was highlighted during the opening remarks by Hon. Timothy Masiu, MP, Minister for Information and Communication Tecnology, at the 2024 Digital Transformation Summit.
“Since 2020, our journey in digital transformation has been guided by the Digital Transformation Policy, which laid the groundwork for the reforms we see today,” Minister Masiu said.
“Our global cybersecurity ranking is a testament to the commitment of the Department of ICT and its partners to ensuring that PNG is not left behind in the digital age.”
The summit, themed “Navigating Digital Transformation Towards 50 years & beyond: Collaborative Governance and Innovation,” provided the backdrop for the unveiling of the Department’s new Corporate Plan for 2023-2027.
This plan will focus on critical areas such as cybersecurity, cloud technologies, and public content dissemination.
“As we enter the next phase of our digital transformation, we are committed to improving our cybersecurity measures and developing a more robust digital ecosystem,” Minister Masiu said.
He further stressed the need for continuous adjustments to keep pace with evolving technology trends.
Additionally, the Department of ICT has launched several initiatives aimed at increasing public awareness and engagement in digital transformation, including the rebranding of the Gavamani Sivarai newspaper to “Gavamani TokTok.”
“Digital initiatives need champions, and the digital transformation officers here today hold the key to unlocking the potential of ICT for our nation’s growth,” said Minister Masiu said.
