CYBER SECURITY Develop regional cyber security capability Australia is committed to assisting partners in the Indo‑Pacific develop their capacity to address cyber threats, strengthen cyber security and combat cybercrime through the Cyber Cooperation Program (see the Comprehensive & Coordinated Cyber Affairs chapter). Increasing connectivity in the Indo‑Pacific is a force for significant social and economic development and inclusion. However, increased connectivity also has the potential to expose the region to increased threats from malicious cyber actors. Recognising the importance of cyber resilience, and with the understanding that not every country in our region has the capacity to establish a cyber security capability such as a national CERT, Australia will work with our Pacific neighbours to establish a Pacific Cyber Security Operational Network (PaCSON). The PaCSON network will consist of technical experts from respective governments across the Pacific, and will be supported by other partners including not-for-profit organisations and academia. PaCSON will establish operational cyber security points of contact. It will empower members to share cyber security threat information; provide opportunities for technical experts to share tools, techniques and ideas; and be an enabler of cooperation and collaboration, particularly if a cyber security incident affects the region. Further, it is envisaged that PaCSON will provide members with a toolkit for cyber security incident response and assist with cyber security awareness raising activities across the Pacific. AUSTRALIA WILL: 2.07 Work with regional partners in the Pacific to establish PaCSON 29