Pacific Islands Forum Targeted by Malicious Cyber Attack Ahead of Summit

The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) was targeted in a cyber attack before its regional summit in late August. New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has characterised the incident as “malicious,” while the Australian government described the incident as “extensive.” The hacking of the Secretariat—based in Suva, Fiji, and serves as the central administrative body of PIF—was first detected in February, though access was likely gained earlier. The hackers appeared to seek information on the Forum’s communications with member nations and details about the Secretariat’s operations. The Australian government sent a team of cyber specialists, composed of both government and private sector experts, to Fiji to assist with the intrusion....