National Cyber-Security Policy Review


By Leontine Ofoi

Introduction

Papua New Guinea in its current state is a young developing nation that strives towards meeting international standards when it comes to technology. For over the past years the country has taken significant measures to enhance its cybersecurity framework. This has brought together the National Cyber Security Policy 2021(NSCP), where it outlines the government’s vision, goals and objectives to address the evolving cybersecurity risks and challenges as the country it navigates its way through the advancement of digital technology. Security has been one of the main concerns of nations that also includes Papua New Guinea. My review will be a mixed response to assess the weaknesses and strengths of the policy.

Papua New Guineas National Cyber Security Policy 2021 contains various key points that outlines a framework to enhance the nation’s cyber security approach. The key points are as follows:

• Vision and Mission

• Governance Framework

• Risk Management and Resilience

• Critical Infrastructure Protection

• Capability Building and Awareness

• Legislation and Regulation

• International Cooperation

The policy is necessary for institutions in both private and public sectors in the country for anything cybercrime related in their respective areas. The country is currently reliant digital technology in many sectors of its economy that it has become prone to cyber threats.

Critique

This analysis will focus mainly on the benefits and limitations of the NCSP as per its strength and weaknesses.

The cyberspace in PNG will continue to expand and grow, as PNG is a developing country. The rapid usage of technology in the country goes to show how much it has made life easier for people in terms of education, health and it’s economy; providing a platform for growth in this different sectors.

Benefitting and becoming dependent on ICT comes with its own disadvantages of being to cyber threats. The policy provides us a comprehensive framework that aims to protect the country’s digital infrastructure, enhance online safety, and support economic growth. The policy is beneficial in enhancing cybersecurity protection in strengthening defenses against cyber threats and developing strategies to respond to it and minimizing the damage. Cyber security issues in PNG is nothing new as we have experienced one which lead towards the social unrest in 2024, the “Black Wednesday”. Post Courier (2024) reported on a panel discussion in Fiji where Mr Songo Nore, a policy analyst, Researcher and ICT expert raised concerns about the cybersecurity risks in the region.

With the education and business sectors in PNG being reliant too on digital technology, the policy provides public awareness and awareness in promoting cyber literacy to help citizens and businesses safety online. It also strengthens partnerships with other global organizations and agencies to educate the government and country with strategies and best practices to deal with cyber security risks. PNG as we all know is still a developing country so engaging with other global organizations broadens our knowledge on how we can deal with cyber security issues of our own country.

Papua New Guinea however has a relatively large rural population where most of its social media users are predominantly centralized in the urban areas, for example Port Moresby with 56% of social media users (Tarai & Kabuni, 2022). This means those in the rural aeas are unaware of the cybercrime related issues and are not educated well on the policy. The digital divide with the country shows how unrealistic to have cyber security, as many people in the rural parts of PNG are digital illiterate and have limited access to the internet. Gagal (2017) stated how encouraging it is to see the growth rate of internet usage in PNG and the opportunities that arise from it, however there is still much work that needs to be done in that area.

Recommendations

With the growth of ICT and its security risks in the country, the government should educate and do awareness for citizens in the country who are digital illiterate especially those in the rural parts of PNG. This allows them to understand the importance of digital technology and are able to engage in the wider community online with fair knowledge of cyber security risks.

The government should also engage with the education system especially those in tertiary institutions and get reviews of the policy from students and lecturers. This way they are able to make better decisions for the policy in the future.

Conclusion

To conclude the policy contains a framework necessary for the country to have a safer online environment. Due to the country being reliant on technology nowadays the NCSP provides a framework needed to deal with cyber security threats.

(References)\

Galgal, K. (January 12, 2017). The benefits and challenges of ICT in PNG. Lowy Institute. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/benefits-challenges-ict-png?

Tarai and Kabuni , (2017). PNGs Digital Divide. Policy Forum. https://www.policyforum.net/pngs-digital-divide/

Tingles. M, (2025). Expert reveals cybersecurity vulnerabilities in PNG amid digital transformation. https://www.postcourier.com.pg/expert-reveals-cybersecurity-vulnerabilities-in-png-amid-digital-transformation/


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