APNIC Strengthens Regional Internet Security and Collaboration in First Half of 2026
APNIC's latest engagement report highlights advances in routing security, CERT development, and sub-regional cooperation across the Asia Pacific.
The first six months of 2026 saw communities across the Asia Pacific region make steady progress in tackling shared Internet challenges. From boosting routing security in the Pacific islands to nurturing new cybersecurity response teams, the period was marked by practical collaboration and capacity building.
A highlight was the inaugural Oceania Sub-Regional Forum, held alongside the PITA AGM Business Forum and Expo. It brought together telecom leaders, network operators and technical experts to discuss local priorities. A key outcome was a collective pledge to improve routing security by increasing the use of Route Origin Authorizations and Route Origin Validation, mechanisms that help prevent traffic hijacking. Participants agreed to review progress at the next PITA gathering.
Cybersecurity readiness also advanced through targeted support for Computer Emergency Response Teams, known as CERTs. In the Solomon Islands, a hands-on event called CyberQuest Honiara brought together women in ICT, government agencies and critical infrastructure operators. With facilitation by APNIC's Adli Wahid, participants built practical skills through a Capture the Flag competition and workshops, strengthening local incident response networks. Similar momentum is building in Vanuatu and Pakistan, where stakeholders are working to connect more closely with the global cybersecurity ecosystem.
During the Oceania forum, APNIC and PITA also signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding, reaffirming their long-standing commitment to technical training and community development. APNIC further expanded its reach through an IPv6 deployment workshop delivered in Mandarin in Xiong'an, reflecting the region's diverse training needs.
While these efforts fortify the Internet's backbone, individuals and businesses can also take simple steps to guard their online activities. Using a privacy-first, encrypted DNS service such as AEU DNS helps by encrypting domain name lookups and blocking trackers, adding a protective layer to everyday browsing.
How to protect yourself
- Set your devices to use a trusted, encrypted DNS resolver to prevent your internet provider from snooping on your queries and to block known malicious sites automatically.
- Keep your router's firmware up to date by checking the manufacturer's website or app; updates often fix security holes attackers could exploit.
- Turn on automatic updates for your computer, phone and apps so that security patches install as soon as they become available.
- Think before you click: many cyber attacks start with phishing emails or messages—verify unexpected links or attachments before opening.
- Regularly back up important files to a separate hard drive or offline storage, so you can recover them if ransomware or other malware strikes.
Source: blog.apnic.net