The National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) of Papua New Guinea has launched a public consultation regarding the review of the National Information and Communications Technology (NICT) Act of 2009. This consultation, which will take place from April 2, 2025, to May 9, 2025, focuses on updating the legal framework to adapt to rapid technological advancements and new market dynamics.
NICTA aims to gather opinions from stakeholders on current issues within the ICT sector, clauses that are missing from the law, and which existing provisions need to be modified or expanded. The consultation will also address emerging topics such as data governance, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.
As part of this review, several key amendments to the NICT Act are being proposed:
- Competitive Selection Process: Proposed changes aim to introduce flexibility in project deployment options, allowing alternatives to strict competitive bidding.
- Emergency Services: A new section is recommended to clarify the responsibilities of ICT operators during national emergencies.
- Cybersecurity and Resilience: The addition of a dedicated section on cybersecurity is suggested, emphasizing NICTA's role in overseeing the security of ICT infrastructure, protecting data privacy, and coordinating with national cybersecurity authorities.
