Islands Are Not Your Sandbox
- Vanuatu (Nov 2022): Government systems crashed—tax, courts, hospitals went fully offline. Staff resorted to Gmail, typewriters, phone books… and it took months, plus Aussie help, to recover theguardian.com.
- Tonga (June 2025): Health systems locked. Nurses and doctors forced into pen-and-paper mode, with hackers demanding millions.
- Palau (Feb 2025): Qilin ransomware hit the Health Ministry. Patient data stolen, stolen-file leaks, but with international support, systems restored in 48 hours redpacketsecurity.com+5therecord.media+5cm-alliance.com+5.
- Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia (Mar 2025): Health network hit, all IT offline until manual processes could take over .
Last week, Tonga’s Ministry of Health was hit by a ransomware attack that shut down hospital systems and forced staff to use pen and paper. If it feels like we’re next, you’re not wrong.
But why do hackers even care about small Pacific Island nations? Don’t they have bigger targets?
Here’s the uncomfortable truth.
It’s About Money—and We’re Seen as Easy Targets
Ransomware attackers scan the internet for systems they can easily lock up to demand payment for unlocking. They know governments, hospitals, and utilities cannot afford long downtimes, making them more likely to pay, even if they don’t have much.
For attackers:
- Small islands are low risk
- Critical services create urgency to pay
- Even small ransoms ($50,000 to $250,000) add up over multiple attacks
We Have Vulnerabilities They Exploit
Many Pacific countries:
- Use outdated servers and software without security updates
- Have minimal IT staff, sometimes just one or two people managing entire departments
- Lack robust backup systems
- Have no cyber insurance or formal recovery plans
When ransomware strikes, it can take weeks or months to recover—unless the ransom is paid.
No One to Chase Them
Hackers know:
- We lack dedicated cybercrime units capable of tracking them
- Even if identified, attackers are often overseas and out of reach
- Little public reporting means attackers can strike repeatedly without exposure
Cultural Mindsets Make It Easier for Attackers
Pacific societies are built on trust and community. This can result in:
- Staff opening suspicious emails without suspicion
- Passwords being shared for convenience
- Security feeling like a low priority compared to daily responsibilities
These are not failures but practical realities. However, attackers take advantage of them.
Are We Lazy? No—We Are Under-Resourced
Island IT teams are often stretched thin, prioritising urgent infrastructure needs over cybersecurity investments. Many want to improve security but face:
- Budget constraints
- Licensing and upgrade costs
- Limited local cybersecurity expertise
Why Small Islands Are a Growing Target
Hackers see us as:
- Easier to penetrate
- Operating critical systems with no tolerance for downtime
- Lacking backups
- More likely to pay quietly
For attackers, it is low-risk and high-reward.
What Can We Do?
This is not about fear but preparedness. Just as we prepare for cyclones, we must prepare for cyberattacks.
Actions include:
- Creating and testing backups
- Training staff to recognise phishing and scams
- Regularly updating and patching systems
- Planning for manual fallback operations
These actions will not require millions but will save us if ransomware strikes.
If Tonga’s attack has taught us anything, it is that Vanuatu and our region need to be ready now.
More reading
- Tonga Ministry of Health hit with cyberattack affecting website, IT systems
The Record (therecord.media)
Link - Tonga’s health system hacked, US$1m ransom demanded
NZ Herald
Link - Cyberattack disrupts Tonga Ministry of Health
SC World
Link - Doctors revert to paper records while health system hackers demand ransom
Matangi Tonga
Link - Tonga’s health system paralysed by major ransomware attack, staff forced to go manual
TEISS (The European Information Security Summit)
Link - Government faces $1 million ransom for cyber attack on health system
Talanoa O Tonga
Link - Tonga’s government mum on health cyber breach
RNZ (Radio New Zealand)
Link
Disclaimer: This post is for public awareness only and does not replace professional technical or legal advice.
Mattdotvu 
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