NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
PBBM Approves National Cybersecurity Plan 2024-2029 As Rising Threats Persist
FILE
In a significant move to fortify the nation's defenses against cyber threats, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has given the green light to the National Cybersecurity Plan 2024-2029. The announcement came during a press briefing held on Thursday by Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy in Malacañang.
Secretary Uy highlighted that the comprehensive plan, developed over more than a year, provides crucial policy direction and operational guidelines to bolster the country's cybersecurity posture on a global scale. The plan involved consultations with stakeholders from both public and private sectors, including academia, and a thorough comparison with other countries' cybersecurity strategies.
The plan encompasses a range of initiatives, from developing policies for a secure cyber landscape and identifying critical cyber assets to providing guidelines for government agencies to respond to cyberattacks. It also incorporates advanced threat assessment, enabling the government to proactively gather information from international partners before incidents occur.
One significant aspect of the plan is the focus on capacity building and upskilling of cybersecurity personnel. Uy emphasized the need to address the over two million job vacancies in the cybersecurity sector, underscoring the country's potential as a hub for digital workforce development.
In addition to enhancing training programs, the DICT is launching extensive information campaigns to raise public awareness about online risks and various scams. Uy encouraged the public to stay informed by visiting websites dedicated to educating people about prevalent online scams.
Cooperation with China on Cyber Attacks Investigation
In a related development, Uy confirmed that China has reached out to the Philippine government for cooperation following reports of cyber attacks on government agencies and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s private website. During the press briefing, Secretary Uy stated that the investigation into the alleged cyber attacks is a mutual effort that both countries are willing to undertake.
China has expressed willingness to assist in identifying and prosecuting the cyber attackers, with Secretary Uy mentioning that the Philippines is open to working with all parties. While the motive behind the cyber attacks remains unclear, Uy stressed the need for vigilance and public cooperation to protect the country's cyber borders.
Despite not ruling out any possibilities, The DICT Secretary emphasized the importance of taking the situation at face value and maintaining open arms for cooperation. The DICT, having recently thwarted a series of cyber attacks on government email addresses and websites, reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing cybersecurity and urged the public to remain vigilant in the face of evolving threats.
Secretary Uy highlighted that the comprehensive plan, developed over more than a year, provides crucial policy direction and operational guidelines to bolster the country's cybersecurity posture on a global scale. The plan involved consultations with stakeholders from both public and private sectors, including academia, and a thorough comparison with other countries' cybersecurity strategies.
The plan encompasses a range of initiatives, from developing policies for a secure cyber landscape and identifying critical cyber assets to providing guidelines for government agencies to respond to cyberattacks. It also incorporates advanced threat assessment, enabling the government to proactively gather information from international partners before incidents occur.
One significant aspect of the plan is the focus on capacity building and upskilling of cybersecurity personnel. Uy emphasized the need to address the over two million job vacancies in the cybersecurity sector, underscoring the country's potential as a hub for digital workforce development.
In addition to enhancing training programs, the DICT is launching extensive information campaigns to raise public awareness about online risks and various scams. Uy encouraged the public to stay informed by visiting websites dedicated to educating people about prevalent online scams.
Cooperation with China on Cyber Attacks Investigation
In a related development, Uy confirmed that China has reached out to the Philippine government for cooperation following reports of cyber attacks on government agencies and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s private website. During the press briefing, Secretary Uy stated that the investigation into the alleged cyber attacks is a mutual effort that both countries are willing to undertake.
China has expressed willingness to assist in identifying and prosecuting the cyber attackers, with Secretary Uy mentioning that the Philippines is open to working with all parties. While the motive behind the cyber attacks remains unclear, Uy stressed the need for vigilance and public cooperation to protect the country's cyber borders.
Despite not ruling out any possibilities, The DICT Secretary emphasized the importance of taking the situation at face value and maintaining open arms for cooperation. The DICT, having recently thwarted a series of cyber attacks on government email addresses and websites, reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing cybersecurity and urged the public to remain vigilant in the face of evolving threats.
Feb 8, 2024
