In conjunction with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), a giant technology company will award 500 Cybersecurity Career Certificate scholarships to qualified government employees, equipping them with the necessary skill set to identify and mitigate common cybersecurity risks, threats, and vulnerabilities.
Even without prior experience, qualified government employees will be able to acquire the skills necessary for an entry-level position in cybersecurity through the 3–6-month self-paced programme.
Ivan John Uy, DICT Secretary stated that the Cybersecurity Career Certificate will help the Filipino workforce become more globally competitive. This will also empower them with the skills necessary to withstand cyber-attacks and create a safer, more secure online environment.
The DICT acknowledged the generous effort to aid the Philippines in its digital transformation voyage and anticipates additional opportunities for cooperation.
In collaboration with DICT Regional Offices, the ICT Literacy and Competency Development Bureau (ILCDB) is responsible for the evaluation, nomination, distribution, and monitoring of these accounts to qualified recipients of the Career Certificate Scholarship.
According to the International Information System Security Certification Consortium’s (ISC2) Workforce Study, there is a global shortage of 3,4 million cybersecurity professionals. Currently, there are only 202 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)-certified cybersecurity professionals in the Philippines.
It is essential to create more opportunities for Filipinos to acquire the necessary digital skills and pursue the cybersecurity field competitively. The institution is committed to working closely with local collaborators from the public and private sectors to assist in the development of the country’s next generation of cybersecurity professionals and experts. Interested candidates can contact ILCDB via email at ilcdb@dict.gov.ph.
The Cybersecurity Certificate is a wholly online programme that equips learners with the necessary skills for an entry-level position in cybersecurity, regardless of prior experience. Python, Linux, SQL, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) will be utilised.
Participants will gain knowledge regarding Programming for cybersecurity tasks, frameworks, and controls that inform security operations, utilising security information and event management (SIEM) tools for cybersecurity, detecting and responding to incidents using an intrusion detection system, and performing packet capture and analysis.
Cybersecurity education for government employees is of the utmost importance. Local, regional, and national government institutions handle and store a vast quantity of sensitive and confidential information.
This includes citizen data, national security secrets, financial records, and systems vital to the nation’s infrastructure. Without adequate cybersecurity measures, these priceless assets are susceptible to cyber threats and attacks.
Government employees play a crucial role in protecting these assets and the nation’s security. By studying cybersecurity, individuals acquire the knowledge and skills required to identify potential risks, mitigate vulnerabilities, and respond effectively to cyber incidents.
This includes being aware of the most recent cyber threats, recognising social engineering techniques, and instituting secure data handling and network access practices.
In addition, cybercriminals frequently target government employees due to the valuable information they possess. By training government personnel about cybersecurity, they become more resilient to these risks, lowering the likelihood of successful assaults and data breaches. Hence, cybersecurity expertise is necessary for effective policymaking and governance.
Government officials comprehend the implications and repercussions of cybersecurity-related decisions to create effective laws, regulations, and guidelines. Governments can improve their overall cybersecurity posture and protect critical infrastructure, essential services, and citizen data if they have personnel that is well-informed and knowledgeable about cybersecurity.
