Cybersecurity risk management is essential in the current digital environment to safeguard sensitive data, prevent data breaches, and mitigate financial and reputational losses. It helps protect against cyber threats, protects data privacy, and maintains confidence and trust in digital systems and services.
Effective cybersecurity risk management also ensures regulatory compliance, reduces operational disruptions, and enables organisations to proactively respond to emergent threats in an ever-changing threat landscape.
With this, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the local government units (LGUs) involved in the pilot run of the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) in 2021 recently initiated a series of data turnover ceremonies, for which training was provided to safeguard the CBMS data. Recently, the Community-Based Statistics Service, in collaboration with the Data Protection and Security Unit (DPSU) of the Legal Service, conducted Cybersecurity Risk Management Training.
LGU personnel from the municipal governments of San Gabriel (La Union), Sual (Pangasinan), Santa Maria (Isabela), Samal (Bataan), Baybay (Leyte), and Bayugan (Agusan del Sur) participated in the training. PSA officials and CBMS representatives from regional and provincial agencies were also present.
This capacity development initiative is part of the PSA’s commitment to ensuring that all CBMS data collected from households are managed and protected appropriately. With the potential occurrence of cybersecurity threats that could compromise sensitive data, it is crucial to equip LGU personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify, assess, and mitigate such risks. Management of cybersecurity hazards and organisational security measures were the focus of this training session.
Atty Eliezer Ambatali, Director III and Data Preservation Officer of the PSA emphasised the need for technical expertise to guarantee the preservation of CBMS data at the local level. The richness and utility of CBMS data are valuable contributions to the goal of creating more progressive and empowered communities across the nation.
Having cybersecurity risk management in the Philippines offers several benefits. It aids in the protection of vital infrastructure, sensitive government data, and personal information. It promotes economic development by fostering a secure digital environment for businesses and increases investor confidence.
It also aids in the prevention of cybercrimes, promotes trust in online transactions, and bolsters the nation’s cybersecurity posture against evolving threats. Effective cybersecurity risk management ultimately contributes to the resilience and stability of the digital ecosystem in the Philippines.
The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has reaffirmed its commitment to expedite the delivery of PhilIDs to Filipinos who have registered with the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) under its newly appointed Postmaster General (PMG) and Chief Executive Officer, Luis D. Carlos.
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General, PMG and CEO Carlos, as well as PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, emphasised the need for sustained close collaboration and coordinated efforts for PhilID delivery across the country, particularly in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA).
Delivery issues like unclaimed Return-to-Sender (RTS) PhilIDs, including those for PhilID holders who have moved, are being addressed by the PSA and PHLPost. The delivery of PhilIDs, according to the PHLPost, is of the utmost importance, and local postmasters will cooperate more closely with the PSA’s 86 provincial field offices.
The PHLPost has now sent 30,160,674 of the 37,021,698 PhilIDs that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas sent out for distribution to Filipinos who are registered on PhilSys nationwide.
In the meantime, the PSA Field Offices continue to provide ePhilIDs to enrolled individuals via house-to-house and plaza-type distribution methods.
