National Security Advisor, Retired Lieutenant‑Colonel Ibrahim Latheef, has underscored that strengthening cyber resilience must be treated as a strategic imperative as the island nation advances its “Maldives 2.0” initiative.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Cyber‑Security and Cyber‑Resilience Australia Awards Fellowship 2026, Latheef warned that cyber security is no longer merely a digital concern but a core element of national security, public trust, economic growth and effective governance.
“The Maldives 2.0 agenda, unveiled by the President, envisions a fully digitised nation and calls for a robust cyber‑security framework to protect government services, businesses and citizens. Investing in cyber resilience today is an investment in the country’s sustainable development and sovereign integrity,” he said.
Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives, David Jessup, who co‑hosted the event, lauded the programme’s impact and stressed the importance of regional cooperation.
“Cyber‑security is central to a nation’s sustainable development and economic prosperity. The end of this fellowship is where the real work begins for the participants,” he said.
High Commissioner Jessup also highlighted the growing threat posed by artificial intelligence, noting that AI is expanding and threatens government agencies and countries must work together to prepare for it. He affirmed Australia’s commitment to deepening cyber‑security ties with the Maldives.
The week‑long fellowship, delivered in partnership with Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia, brought together 15 technical experts from various Maldivian ministries and agencies. The programme aimed to boost domestic cyber‑security capabilities and strengthen the nation’s digital resilience – a key pillar of the Maldives 2.0 vision.
Attendees included senior officials from the Maldivian Government, representatives of the Australian High Commission in Male, and ECU faculty.