APNIC fellowship: A journey through Internet Infrastructure and governance

Gina Mahe (front row, in orange) with other participants during the APNIC Academy Network Automation Workshop at APNIC 58.

Every year, APNIC offers fellowships to professionals and youth from developing or small island economies in the Asia Pacific region. Fellows follow a structured training program, culminating in sponsored participation in an APNIC conference. This series on the APNIC Blog highlights the stories of APNIC fellowship alumni.

This post shares how returning as an APNIC Fellow and participating in APNIC 58 and the Pacific Islands Internet Governance Forum (PacIGF 2024) in Wellington strengthened my knowledge of network automation, cybersecurity, and Internet governance, helping advance my professional contributions.

Network automation and monitoring

Network automation is essential in my field (ISP), as it increases operational efficiency and reduces human error by automating repetitive tasks. This leads to more consistent and reliable network management.

The APNIC Academy training during the fellowship provided a solid foundation in network automation principles and their practical applications. We learned about automation frameworks and tools like YAML, Jinja, Napalm Logs, Salt, Salt Reactor, and Salt REST API.

The program also covered building device inventories and extending Salt in diverse network environments - skills essential for enhancing efficiency, scalability, and reliability in modern network management.

Automating network device monitoring ensures 24/7 service availability by proactively addressing issues and improving overall service reliability.

Understanding Internet governance in the Pacific

PacIGF 2024 held during APNIC 58 provided valuable insights into Internet governance frameworks specific to the Pacific region. Presentations covered digital transformation, cybersecurity threats, mitigation strategies, and the importance of digital resilience in disaster-prone areas.

Engaging with IGFs helps navigate region-specific governance structures. These insights can guide partnerships with government agencies and local organizations to develop capacity-building strategies, address challenges faced by Pacific Island economies, and promote sustainable digital development.

Cybersecurity and disaster incident response

At PacIGF 2024, discussions on cybersecurity incident response emphasized the critical need for coordinated efforts to enhance regional security and preparedness. This broadened my understanding of the Pacific's unique challenges, reinforcing the importance of robust governance for sustainable digital growth.

Implementing strategies for digital resilience and disaster response allows ISPs like mine to support local communities during emergencies, ensuring essential services remain operational. This builds trust within the community and strengthens our reputation as a reliable service provider.

The role of Internet operations in the Asia Pacific region

Attending APNIC 58 was invaluable. I was particularly interested in topics like the Internet of Things (IoT) development, the current state of IPv6 deployment, and APNIC products and services. Discussions on routing security and APNIC's collaboration with the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) highlighted the importance of strong security measures.

These insights help inform decisions on network expansion, IPv6 adoption, and cybersecurity, that improve service quality and coverage. Sharing this knowledge also promotes IoT and IPv6 awareness in the community and opens up partnership opportunities to enhance connectivity and digital growth in the region.

Building a sustainable digital future in the Pacific

My APNIC Fellowship journey deepened my technical expertise in network automation and Internet governance while broadening my understanding of the Pacific's unique challenges and opportunities. These experiences enable me to contribute more effectively to both my ISP and the wider community.

As I continue my involvement with APNIC, I'm eager to share my learnings, advocate for digital literacy, and collaborate with others to strengthen the Internet ecosystem in the Pacific. By fostering a more resilient, secure, and sustainable digital infrastructure, we can support the region's digital growth well into the future.

Learn more about APNIC fellowships, APNIC membership, and the APNIC Academy.

Gina Mahe is an ICT Engineer at Tonga Communications Corporation and an APNIC 2024 Fellow.

The views expressed by the authors of this blog are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of APNIC. Please note a Code of Conduct applies to this blog.

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