Executive Summary
- The Federated States of Micronesia held a national cybersecurity symposium to translate its national strategy into actionable policy.
- A primary outcome was an urgent call for the FSM Congress to pass pending legislation on cybersecurity, cybercrime, and data protection.
- The government’s next steps include establishing a national Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) and a formal information classification system.
- Vice President Palik framed cybersecurity as a fundamental component of the nation’s national security.
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has concluded its 2025 Cybersecurity Symposium, a five-day event in Chuuk aimed at transforming the nation’s cybersecurity strategy into concrete implementation. The symposium, held from October 27 to 31, brought together government leaders, IT professionals, and international partners to forge a unified plan for a secure digital future.
Under the theme “Advancing National Cybersecurity: From Strategy to Implementation,” the event was co-organized by the FSM Department of Justice and Norway Registers Development (NRD) Cyber Security, with sponsorship from the Embassy of Lithuania to Japan. In his opening remarks, Vice President Palik emphasized the gravity of the issue, stating, “Cybersecurity is not only a technical issue alone… it plays a crucial role in safeguarding our national security. Absolutely, it is a matter of national security, plain and simple.”
Key outcomes from the gathering include the development of a detailed roadmap to advance the FSM National Cybersecurity Strategy. This plan prioritizes the establishment of a national Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), significant policy reforms, and the protection of critical infrastructure. Participants also issued a reinforced and urgent call for the FSM Congress to expedite the passage of three pending bills: the Cybersecurity Bill, the Cybercrime Bill, and the Personal Data Protection Bill.
Next Steps for National Security
Following the symposium, the FSM government outlined several immediate priorities. The administration plans to work closely with Congress to hold public hearings and ensure the passage of the critical security bills. Concurrently, the Executive Branch will finalize and enforce a national information classification framework across all government agencies. The Department of Justice has been tasked with activating and operationalizing the FSM Computer Emergency Response Team (FSM-CERT) as the lead agency for national security.
The FSM government expressed its gratitude to the Chuuk State Government for hosting the event and acknowledged the vital role of its international partners. Officials stressed that the symposium marks a significant step forward in the ongoing collective effort to secure the nation in the digital age.