27th July 2018 Tonga’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT Tonga) has embarked on a new collaboration with CERT NZ, New Zealand’s Computer Emergency Response Team, after signing a Framework for Operational Collaboration (FOC) on Cyber Security last week.
The new framework paves the way forward for the organizations to share information and join forces to address matters related to cyber threats.
The new collaboration will allow CERT Tonga and CERT NZ to:
- collaborate on cyber security incident response
- exchange information on cyber security and establish appropriate channels for exchanging of information
- exchange of delegations and visits and
- other forms of collaboration arranged by the organizations
Director of CERT NZ, Mr. Rob Pope said, “We warmly embrace the signing of the FOC as close friends and neighbour of Tonga. We also look forward to our continuing engagement with CERT Tonga, and are pleased to be able to work together as we jointly meet the challenges of cyber security in the Pacific.”
In April of this year the first annual general meeting of the Pacific Cyber Security Operational Network (PaCSON) was held in Brisbane, Australia. Fifteen (15) countries from the region were represented; New Zealand was elected as Chair of the Executive Committee and Tonga as Deputy Chair.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of MEIDECC in which CERT Tonga operates under, Mr. Paula Ma’u said, “The two organizations have had a close working relationship in the past and the FOC officialises that working relationship.”
He also extended his sincere gratitude to CERT NZ for agreeing to the partnership as well as agreeing to host one of CERT Tonga’s staff on a work attachment later in the year through the Short Term Training Scholarships (STTS) managed by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Mr. Ma’u also congratulates CERT NZ for recently receiving the Award for Public Sector Excellence in Digital Government which further solidify Tonga’s confidence on the partnership.
ENDS
Issued by the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communication