The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Baron Waqa has confirmed that there was a cyber security attack against its Fiji-based offices, and though the threat had been isolated, there is still no confirmation on who was behind it.
He says the forensic report is being finalized, and until it is finalized, there is still no confirmation on who the threat actor is.
Waqa says the attack occurred early in the year, around February, and there are accusations China is to blame, but he stresses these are accusations and he will wait for the final report before making any assertions.
He says the PIF's systems are now safe, secure and operational.
Waqa says the region is facing a number of transnational security challenges, including an increase in drug trafficking and cyber crimes.
Meanwhile, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning says the claim that it was involved in a cyber attack on the Forum is politically motivated disinformation.
Mao said the claim aims to drive a wedge between regional countries and China.
PIF’s General Secretary Waqa says they have heard several accusations, but the position of the forum will be the final report, and at this stage, they want to keep away from accusations of any country or any offenders.
When questioned whether or not the final report will be made public, Waqa says once that report is done, the forum will have to furnish it back to all their members first, and how the forum proceeds after will depend on their members’ decision.
Source: RNZ
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