A group of students from our school recently had the exciting opportunity to attend a Cyber Security Bootcamp hosted by Tonga Women in ICT (TWICT). The event brought together students from both secondary and tertiary institutions across Tonga, all with the shared goal of learning how to stay safe and secure in the digital world. Held as part of ongoing efforts to raise cyber security awareness in the country, the boot camp featured presentations from several key organizations, including TWICT, CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team), the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), and the Police Cyber Crimes Unit. Each of these sessions highlighted the growing importance of cyber security and the role young people can play in protecting themselves and others online.
Participants also had the privilege of hearing from Mr. Adli Wahid, a senior internet security specialist at APNIC (Asia Pacific Network Information Centre). Mr. Wahid not only delivered an insightful presentation on cyber threats and digital safety but also hosted an engaging Capture the Flag (CTF) challenge. This fun and interactive competition tested students’ problem-solving and cyber sleuthing skills as they worked in teams to solve digital puzzles and complete tasks.
The boot camp was both informative and empowering. Students walked away with a greater understanding of how to identify cyber risks, protect personal information, and contribute to a safer online community. The event also encouraged collaboration between schools and sparked an interest in ICT-related fields among many of the attendees.
We would like to thank TWICT and all participating organizations for organizing such a valuable event and for continuing to invest in the future of Tonga’s digital safety.
