Cybersecurity is the focus of ITU’s first operational visit to Palau

Cybersecurity is the focus of ITU’s first operational visit to Palau

ITU technical experts visited the Republic of Palau to provide the first in-country assistance to ITU’s newest Member State. Palau’s President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. and government officials welcomed the team.

Palau requested the assistance to develop its cybersecurity capacity. The experts conducted a readiness assessment, which is the first step toward establishing a Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) in the country.

“We are always keen to work with Member States to realize our BDT4Impact vision, which is to bring universal and meaningful connectivity and sustainable digital transformation to all countries, but with a special focus on the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and of course Small Island Developing States like Palau,” said Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau.

Participants at the CIRT Readiness Assessment and Cybersecurity Capacity Building Workshop in Palau

CIRTs are responsible for identifying, analyzing, and mitigating cybersecurity threats. ITU has completed CIRT assessments in more than 80 countries around the world.

In September 2024, Palau became ITU’s 194th Member State, joining 38 other Asia and the Pacific countries. By becoming an ITU member, Palau strengthens the voice of Small Island Developing States in the work of the organization.

ITU’s first operational visit to Palau: Focus on CIRT Readiness Assessment and Cybersecurity Capacity Building Workshop — ITU’s first operational visit to Palau: Focused on Cybersecurity

The readiness assessment in Palau, which took place 27-29 January, is part of a larger effort to strengthen community resilience through digital transformation, under the UN Joint Programme to accelerate the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Six ITU CyberDrills are scheduled for 2025, including one global event,
the Global CyberDrill 2025, to be held 6-8 May in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

This is an ITU Development #DigitalImpactUnlocked story