AI empowers cybercriminals targeting Fiji businesses

Fiji is facing a growing threat from cybercriminals who are increasingly using artificial intelligence to facilitate identity theft and breach company systems. Hackers are specifically targeting individuals who hold the keys to sensitive business information, exploiting AI-powered tools to accelerate their attacks.

According to Alex Teh, CEO of Chillisoft, ransomware groups such as Akira, Qilin, and RedLine are actively pursuing passwords and privileged user accounts. They employ sophisticated techniques like deepfakes and AI-driven phishing to manipulate victims more rapidly than ever before. Interpol has identified Fiji as a particular target for RedLine malware, which is designed to steal personal information, cryptocurrency data, and confidential documents.

Teh highlighted that Pacific Island companies, including Fiji-based Pacific Building Solutions, have recently fallen victim to Qilin ransomware. He stressed that relying solely on multi-factor authentication is insufficient, urging organizations to also scrutinize the access privileges granted to employees, machines, and AI agents. Granting excessive access to AI systems, he warned, introduces a new layer of security risk.

The speed of cyberattacks is also accelerating, with vulnerabilities that once took months to exploit now being targeted within hours. Teh believes this trend will soon necessitate "zero-minute protection." This escalating threat landscape is compounded by a regional shortage of cybersecurity specialists, limited cyber investigators, and scarce forensic capabilities.

However, Teh pointed to a positive development: Fiji produces approximately 1,000 IT graduates each year, many from Fiji National University. He believes these graduates can help bridge the cybersecurity gap. The establishment of the new Fiji Computer Emergency Response Team, coupled with funding from the Fijian Government, Australia, the United States, and the United Nations, is expected to build the capacity needed to protect local infrastructure. These insights were shared at the Cybersec Fiji 2026 Symposium, attended by around 200 professionals.

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Truth be known, Fiji is actually producing excellent graduates in IT. Let’s allow them to build a career in Fiji.