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Community partners

APNIC engages with a range of stakeholders to support a more secure Internet. This page outlines how APNIC collaborates with security organizations, law enforcement agencies, and policy makers to build capacity, share technical expertise, and support informed decision making on cybersecurity issues.

Working with security organizations

APNIC collaborates with a wide range of security organizations to strengthen the Internet’s resilience across the Asia Pacific. These partnerships support incident response, threat intelligence sharing, and capacity development, particularly in underserved or emerging economies.

Types of security organizations APNIC works with

  • Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs): National, academic, enterprise, and product teams that respond to cybersecurity incidents such as malware, DDoS, and ransomware attacks.
  • Security coordination organizations: Regional and global groups that facilitate collaboration, training, and threat intelligence sharing. These include the Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT), the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), Team Cymru, and the ShadowServer Foundation.
  • Community-driven initiatives: Informal or emerging groups focused on local or sector-specific security challenges.

Forms of collaboration

APNIC supports the development and operation of security organizations in several ways:

  • CERT/CSIRT support: APNIC has helped establish and support national CERTs in Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu through training and technical assistance.
  • Training and workshops: Covering topics such as threat landscapes, security controls, and incident response, including hands-on exercises.
  • Event support and sponsorship: APNIC has sponsored and contributed to regional security events.
  • Strategic relationships: APNIC is a strategic partner to FIRST, APCERT.
  • Capacity building and technical collaboration: APNIC works with various security organizations to develop technical capacity in the region, and on technical research projects.

Benefits to the community

These collaborations improve coordination and speed of response to security incidents, support the sharing of knowledge, tools, and best practices, and help build stronger security capabilities across the region. They also raise awareness and promote a more mature understanding of cyber threats.

Working with Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs)

APNIC engages with Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in support of a global, open, stable, and secure Internet. This engagement focuses on building understanding of Internet infrastructure, supporting lawful access to information in accordance with applicable Australian laws, and contributing to security-related research using publicly observable data.

Nature of APNIC’s role

APNIC is not a law enforcement agency, instead APNIC supports LEAs by:

  • Helping them understand how the Internet registry system works, particularly the use of publicly available information in the APNIC Whois Database.
  • Participating in security-related research and sharing publically observable data with LEAs where appropriate.
  • Responding to lawful requests for information under Australian law or by order of an Australian court or tribunal.

Forms of collaboration

  • Training and outreach: APNIC staff provide training to LEA stakeholders and participate in regional law enforcement events to build skills and awareness around Internet number resources and whois data. For instance, APNIC collaborates with the INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation to support capacity development for regional LEAs.
  • Information sharing: APNIC distinguishes between publicly available and non-public Member information. Public information (for example, whois data) is accessible via the APNIC website and is routinely referenced in response to LEA queries. Non-public information is only disclosed when required or authorized by Australian law or a valid court order.
  • Request handling: APNIC will respond to valid requests for information. LEAs are encouraged to contact APNIC to discuss the nature and scope of their requests and appropriate format for delivery. LEAs outside Australia must follow Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) procedures.

Benefits to the community

By working with LEAs, APNIC helps improve the understanding of Internet infrastructure and supports lawful, informed responses to cybercrime. This collaboration builds trust between the technical and enforcement communities, ensures transparency in data handling, and reinforces APNIC’s commitment to operating within legal frameworks while supporting a secure Internet for all.

Working with policy makers

Government policymakers are increasingly engaging with the challenges presented by cybersecurity. A well-informed understanding of how the Internet operates is essential to developing effective and appropriate policy responses. APNIC works with policy makers to support evidence-based decision making that promotes a global, open, stable, and secure Internet.

Nature of APNIC’s role

APNIC contributes technical expertise to policy discussions, including in the area of cybersecurity. This includes helping policy makers understand the operational realities of Internet infrastructure and the potential impacts of legislative or regulatory decisions.

Forms of collaboration

  • Briefings and presentations: APNIC staff regularly present updates to forums such as the APEC TEL Security and Prosperity Steering Group (SPSG) and ASEAN Regional Forum.
  • Capacity development: APNIC contributes to Internet security-related training for policy makers through initiatives such as the Third Country Training Program (TCTP) on Cybersecurity for ASEAN countries, and engagements with UNIDIR and the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE).
  • Multistakeholder engagement: APNIC promotes inclusive dialogue on cybersecurity policy through participation in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), Asia Pacific Regional IGF (APrIGF), and the Cooperation SIG at APNIC conferences.
  • Public safety collaboration: APNIC engages with the ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) Public Safety Working Group and supports training for law enforcement and judicial stakeholders in partnership with INTERPOL and others.

Benefits to the community

By working with policy makers, APNIC helps ensure that cybersecurity policy is grounded in technical reality and aligned with the operational needs of the Internet. This collaboration supports more effective, proportionate, and sustainable policy outcomes, and strengthens trust and cooperation between technical and policy communities.