CERT NZ has been named as the inaugural chair of PaCSON- the Pacific Cyber Security Operational Network. PaCSON is a network of CERTs and other cyber security response officials from 14 Pacific nations.

“Being voted the first chair of the PaCSON Executive Committee is an enormous honour for CERT NZ,” says Jamison Johnson, Principal Advisor, CERT NZ and PaCSON representative.

“As one of the newer cyber security response teams in the region, it’s a great opportunity to work alongside and support our Pacific colleagues. Other members of the Executive Committee include Tonga as Deputy Chair and Samoa as Incoming Chair.”

The PaCSON network is initially comprised of Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

“CERT NZ is focused on being open and transparent with New Zealanders about the impact of cyber threats on our country, and the measures that we can all take to stay safe online,” says Mr Johnson.

“We’re pleased to be able to expand this role more broadly into the Pacific, and share our understanding of the threat landscape with other nations.

“New Zealand and the nations of the Pacific have always shared a close bond. PaCSON gives us an opportunity to work together to improve the cyber security not only in our own countries, but more broadly as a collective.”

As technological advances and greater connectivity give Pacific nations more access to the internet, cyber security challenges will only increase. Using New Zealand’s knowledge of, and access to, the global information security community, CERT NZ will play an important role in sharing knowledge between countries.

CERT NZ is New Zealand’s Computer Emergency Response Team and supports businesses, organisations and individuals who are affected (or may be affected) by cyber security incidents. CERT NZ provides trusted and authoritative information and advice, while also collating a profile of the threat landscape in New Zealand.

For more information see www.cert.govt.nz.

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