Overview:
Palau is stepping up its digital defenses. President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. has established a new Office of Applied Technology and Strategy to strengthen cybersecurity, streamline government systems, and accelerate the country’s push toward e-government following recent cyberattacks on key institutions.
By: Laurel Marewibuel
KOROR, Palau — President Surangel J. Whipps Jr. on Friday signed an executive order creating the Office of Applied Technology and Strategy within the Office of the President, aiming to centralize government technology planning amid rising cybersecurity threats and fragmented systems.
The move addresses vulnerabilities exposed by recent cyber attacks on the national hospital, police station and financial institutions, Whipps said in remarks accompanying the order.
“When we talk about technology, we always talk about cybersecurity, we talk about how we can move to an e-government, those are themes we tackle, how to use AI,” Whipps said. “We talk about how we can make our lives good by using these new tools that are now available. As of right now, we know about those that have happened, cyberattacks to the hospital, to the police station, to finance. And we found that something we are short of is that materials and tools we use are different from each other and there are leaks in our systems.”
“It’s very important that there is an office that overlooks this work and is one mind,” he added. “To establish the Office of Applied Technology and Strategy within the Office of the President.”
The order cites Palau’s growing reliance on information technology for public administration, service delivery, national security, financial management, communications and economic development. It notes that decentralized planning and procurement across ministries have led to fragmented systems, duplicative spending, inconsistent standards and heightened risks including cybersecurity gaps, data protection issues, interoperability problems, vendor dependency and inefficient use of public funds.
A prior Technology Governing Body Task Force, established under Presidential Directive No. 26-69, recommended the permanent office after assessing government IT assets, expenditures and risks.
The new office, headed by a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) appointed by and serving at the president’s pleasure, will advise on significant technology matters; review procurements for efficiency and cost savings; develop government-wide standards and architectures; promote shared services and joint procurement; assess risks like cybersecurity and system resilience; and support digital transformation initiatives, including the Palau National Cybersecurity Strategy.