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As the Philippines celebrates Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has emphasised the government’s ongoing initiatives to enhance the country’s readiness and resilience against cyber threats.
DICT Secretary Ivan John Enrile Uy unveiled this year’s theme, “Cyber Tiwala, Cyber Handa, Cyber Tatag”, and encouraged the public to join in fostering trust, readiness, and resilience against these threats.
The celebration features a range of activities aimed at empowering Filipinos to improve their cybersecurity knowledge and stay safe online. These initiatives align with Proclamation No. 353, issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which underscores the importance of advancing cybersecurity across all sectors of society.
Signed on October 2, 2023, the proclamation outlines strategies from the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 that focus on ensuring safety in both cyber and physical spaces. It also emphasises the need for a robust legal framework to strengthen cybersecurity policies and minimum information security standards.
Furthermore, it reaffirms the Philippines’ commitment to the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime, also known as the “Budapest Convention”, which advocates for the development of domestic legislation against cybercrimes and international collaboration to combat cyber-related offences.
President Marcos has assigned the DICT to spearhead Cybersecurity Awareness Month, directing all national government offices and encouraging local government units, non-government organisations, and the private sector to actively participate in the initiative.
The primary aim of Cybersecurity Awareness Month is to reinforce efforts in addressing the strategic policy dimensions of cybersecurity, develop national cyber defence capabilities, and enhance public awareness through intensified campaigns that showcase vital cybersecurity information.
A cautionary example is concerns about data breaches at the APO Production Unit, potentially affecting 28 million passport holders. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Adelio Cruz highlighted the urgent need for better cybersecurity due to these breaches and the risk of data being sold on the dark web, while Senator Loren Legarda warned that neglecting cybersecurity could threaten personal data and national integrity.
The DFA is considering a comprehensive cybersecurity system to protect sensitive information, highlighting the need for a culture of vigilance and accountability in government data security.
Earlier this month, the DICT announced that the Philippines has made significant progress in the 2024 United Nations Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), climbing from 61st to 53rd place since 2020. The report, released on September 12, 2024, indicated a rise in the Philippines’ cybersecurity score from 77 points to 93.49 points, placing the country just 1.51 points shy of entering Tier 1, which recognises the world’s best in cybersecurity laws, technology, organisations, training, and international cooperation.
The country’s advancement from Tier 3 (Evolving) to Tier 2 (Advancing) reflects improvements in critical areas such as technical skill development, international collaboration, and the organisation of cybersecurity efforts.
Secretary Uy remarked, “This is a huge achievement for the Philippines. It shows that our hard work to protect Filipinos online is bearing fruit, but we are not stopping here. We are on the brink of being a global leader in cybersecurity, and we will continue working to safeguard our digital world.”
Much of this progress can be attributed to the government’s focus on bolstering cybersecurity through the National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023-2028. President Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 58, which mandates all government agencies to adopt the NCSP 2023-2028, ensuring the nation is better equipped to counter cyberattacks and online threats.
As data breaches become increasingly common, the Philippine government is tackling a significant cybersecurity issue that could affect millions of citizens. Dedicated to strengthening its cyber resilience, the Philippines is enacting comprehensive measures to safeguard its citizens and digital infrastructure. These efforts include raising public awareness, enhancing legal frameworks, and fostering collaboration among government agencies to ensure robust cybersecurity practices.
