Cybersecurity: An Urgent Concern Beyond IT

The term "cybersecurity" often conjures images of sophisticated equipment, a sea of servers, and an army of hackers out to create chaos in the computer systems of governments and enterprises. This perception has been reinforced in recent months by various government agencies getting hacked, compromising the data of millions of Filipinos. According to the 2022 Microsoft Digital Defense Report, there was a 74-percent surge in password attacks and a 300-percent rise in phishing attempts and ransomware. Microsoft’s countermeasures purged over 531,000 phishing URLs and over 1,400 malicious accounts, underscoring the magnitude of the risk.

As technology becomes more integral to daily life, cybersecurity concerns extend beyond government and corporate domains. Everyday users are at risk when using their devices for social connections, banking, and shopping. A March 2024 Pulse Asia survey commissioned by the Stratbase ADR Institute revealed that some 86.75 million Filipinos are now using social media. Whether these users fall victim to scammers, fraudsters, and thieves depends on their awareness of online dangers and the caution they adopt to protect themselves.

The Philippine government has undertaken several initiatives to address online threats. The Consumer Act of 1992 aimed to identify consumer rights against deceptive practices. The 2012 Cybercrime Prevention Act criminalized and prosecuted fraud, identity theft, and cybersquatting. More recently, the Philippine National Cybersecurity Plan, approved by President Marcos through Executive Order No. 58, provides a comprehensive framework for strengthening the country’s cyber defenses and resilience. This plan emphasizes digitalization and addresses rising cybercrimes.

In December 2023, the Internet Transactions Act was signed, protecting consumers and merchants against online scams and frauds. Additionally, a proposal by Sen. Mark Villar for an Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act and President Marcos’ commitment to combat cybercrime highlight ongoing efforts to improve detection, response, and case resolution. The Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 includes the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) National Cybersecurity Plan, serving as a roadmap for integrated cybersecurity development and strategic direction.

Despite these measures, much work remains. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center reported that in 2023, the shopping scam rate in the Philippines was 35.9 percent, the highest among 11 Asian countries surveyed. This indicates that Filipinos need to be more cautious about their online activities and aware of the potential serious consequences.

A whole-of-society approach is essential, involving collaboration among the government, private sector, and civil society to raise awareness, develop innovative tools, and enact stronger measures to protect vulnerable areas from cyberattacks. An example of such an approach is the "Be Wais" campaign, a joint effort by Citizen Watch Philippines, Bayan Academy, Meta, DICT, Department of Trade and Industry, Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Migrant Workers, and the United States Agency for International Development. This campaign aims to increase awareness about scams and cultivate a community of mindful consumers who use critical thinking before making decisions, especially in online transactions.

Equipping ourselves with the necessary knowledge and maintaining a vigilant mindset can prevent scams, fraud, and other online illegal acts. It is crucial to protect citizens in cyberspace, raise awareness, promote financial literacy, and provide the skills and tools needed to identify and avoid deceptive tactics.

Directpath Global Technologies (DGT) is committed to supporting these efforts. As a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), DGT offers a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity services, including Mobile Threat Defense (MTD), Extended Detection and Response (XDR), Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), System Organization Controls Type 2 (SOC2), Vulnerability Risk Management as a Service (VRMaaS), Web Application Firewall (WAF), and virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) services. DGT’s advanced Artificial Intelligence Division tailors services to organizations, enhancing not only cybersecurity but also various operational aspects, ensuring a robust defense against evolving cyber threats. Source: INQUIRER NET