For Immediate Release
Press Release
Suva, Fiji – The U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with Google is supporting ICT specialists from government, higher education, and the private sector with training to bolster the cloud infrastructure and security resilience in the region.
The USAID Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP) – Pacific Project (DCCP – Pacific) and Google yesterday (3.20.24) completed a Google security and standards training for more than 50 ICT specialists from across 12 Pacific Island Countries.
“The participants are mid-level ICT specialists, including the next generation of network engineers and network security professionals working in government, higher education, and the private sector, who are responsible for running the cloud infrastructure in the region,” said USAID Pacific Islands Deputy Mission Director Michael Glees.
“USAID is supporting the government and telecommunication industry workforce that maintains the cybersecurity infrastructure across the Pacific by providing them opportunities to refine their skills and learn from peers and experts on cutting-edge cybersecurity measures and cloud technologies, ensuring they are well-equipped to face the evolving security challenges of the modern digital world,” he said.
“We all need to work together to embrace opportunities to make our digital world a safer place for everyone,” says USAID Pacific Islands Deputy Mission Director Michael Glees. "The USAID and Google partnership is a great initiative that I fully support as someone who is passionate about developing the next generation of ICT specialists and network engineers. As President of Tonga Women in ICT, I also fully appreciate the importance of security and resilience to empower more women and girls in this field," President of Tonga Women in ICT and Project Coordinator for PMU, Ministry of Education, Seluvaia Kaivaka.
"Today’s webinar was great as it provided my team and I with a greater understanding of Google’s security and resilience framework, and the components involved, which is important for our work as we coordinate the delivery and support of ICT services in the Solomon Islands.
We look forward to further opportunities to engage with USAID DCCP and Google," said Director of Solomon Islands Government Information Communication Technology Services, Steve Erehiru.
The event underscores the commitment of USAID's DCCP – Pacific and Google’s to advance digital security capabilities in the Pacific.
DCCP-Pacific is a four-year effort to expand digital access and connectivity, strengthen digital policy and regulations, advance digital platforms and services in the delivery of public services, upgrade digital skills and literacy, and reinforce cybersecurity protections across 12 Pacific Island countries.