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The Australian Federal Police (AFP) continues working with partners in the Pacific region to boost cyber security skills and training.
The training is conducted via the Cyber Safety Pasifika (CSP) program, which was established by the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police in partnership with the AFP.
The CSP offers two programs: Cyber Safety Awareness and Education Community Trainer, and Cybercrime Investigations.
The awareness program is aimed at training local officers to be able to lead their own communities when it comes to cyber security. The program operates under the “by the Pacific, for the Pacific” philosophy.
The investigations program, on the other hand, focuses on investigating cyber crime and other technology-related offences.
A total of 365 Pacific police officers from 17 Pacific nations have taken part in the program.
“The CSP program is extremely important to the Pacific region in raising community awareness and helping police officers enhance their skills and awareness in the effort to combat cyber crime,” said Detective Superintendent Kathryn Polkinghorne.
“As internet connectivity across the Pacific region increases, cyber crime becomes a greater risk, so it is vital that police and the broader community know how to stay safe online.
“The AFP is committed to working with our partners to support the Pacific to engage safely in the digital environment, noting the benefits for communities flowing from safe online connectivity.”
The program ran recently in both Nauru and Samoa. Nauru Police Force Commissioner Iven Notte said that expanding the program is an important part of keeping the region safe.
“It is very important to protect the Nauru community from cyber harm,” said Commissioner Notte.
“The CSP training better equips the Nauru Police Force to tackle these emerging problems alongside their partners.”
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.