Fiji reviews suspected cyber breach at Suva regional organisation

Fiji is reviewing a suspected cyberattack on a Suva-based regional organisation after the United States warned that hackers linked to China had accessed its network for several days between July and August.

The US Embassy in Suva says it has informed the Fijian government and the organisation about the suspected breach and provided technical advice to help secure their systems.

The organisation has not been named and the extent of the suspected breach remains unclear. The embassy has not disclosed what information may have been accessed.

The warning has raised concerns about the security of information shared between Pacific governments and regional bodies, which work together on issues including climate change, fisheries, trade and regional security.

Fiji’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sakiasi Ditoka says the country needs to strengthen its cybersecurity capabilities while maintaining relationships with international partners.

But Ditoka said he had not yet been informed about the US Embassy’s notice.

Fiji Foreign Affairs Minister Sakiasi Ditoka says the country needs to strengthen its cybersecurity capabilities while maintaining its relationships with international partners. Photo/Fiji government

“What we need to do is just up our game, to make sure that we know exactly where we stand and the principles that we abide by,” Ditoka told the Fiji Sun. “I think that’s what we need to work on.”

Ditoka said Fiji’s relationships with its international partners remained intact. “We also value them very much, and we’d like to continue to strengthen those commitments that we have with our overseas partners."

Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica said he was not familiar with the details of the incident but noted that cybercrime was common in Fiji with government agencies and local companies among the targets.

Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica says stronger protection measures are needed as cybercrime continues to affect government agencies and businesses in Fiji. Photo/Fiji government

“The more protection mechanisms we introduce, the safer it will be for the country and for everyone,” Kamikamica said in the Sun report.

He said Fiji was developing its cybersecurity framework through the Ministry of Policing.

The US says the incident reflects a wider pattern of cyber activity targeting Pacific governments, regional organisations and telecommunications networks by hackers it links to the Chinese state.

It warns that information taken in such attacks could expose sensitive data and communications between Pacific countries.

Fiji and China respond

Fiji’s Minister for Policing and Communications, Ioane Naivalurua, says the government is reviewing the situation.

The ministry has urged government agencies, non-government organisations and businesses to strengthen their digital security and monitor their networks for suspicious activity.

The Chinese Embassy in Suva has rejected accusations it says lack evidence and called for dialogue and cooperation on cybersecurity. Photo/X

China’s Embassy in Fiji has rejected what it describes as the politicisation of cybersecurity and accusations against other countries without evidence.

“Cybersecurity is an issue of common concern for China and the US,” the embassy said in a statement and called for dialogue and cooperation to address cyber risks.

The US has not publicly identified the organisation affected or provided details of the information potentially accessed.

Wider regional security concerns

The US statement also raised broader concerns about alleged links between foreign influence, criminal networks and corruption in the Pacific.

Those claims were part of the embassy’s wider message and have not been established as connected to the suspected network breach.

Washington says its engagement with Pacific countries is aimed at supporting regional security and prosperity.

The United States and Palau are also set to co-chair the inaugural US-Pacific Islands Conference of Police Ministers, which will focus on maritime security, drug trafficking, cybercrime and illicit finance.

Officials say the incident highlights the importance of protecting digital systems for Pacific countries that rely on regional cooperation and shared information.

But with the affected organisation and the possible extent of the breach still undisclosed, key questions remain unanswered.