Urgent Call for Unified Action Against Cyber Threats in Asia

The recent joint meeting of the Asean-Japan Cybersecurity Technical Working Group underscored the pressing need for a collaborative approach between government and private sector organizations to combat escalating cyber threats across Asia. This call to action was reinforced by discussions during the fifth board meeting of the Asean-Japan Cybersecurity Community Alliance (AJCCA) in Cambodia, highlighting the increasing vulnerability of government digital ecosystems and critical information infrastructure (CII).

Lito Averia, president of the Philippine Computer Emergency Response Team (PH-CERT), emphasized that a “harmonious whole-of-Asia and whole-of-society approach to fight cyber threats in the region has to be orchestrated among government and private sector leaders in Asean and Japan, along with other countries in the region.” This sentiment captures the essence of a unified strategy necessary to defend against sophisticated cyber adversaries.

The meeting’s agenda also included a proposal by Sam Jacoba, founding president of the National Association of Data Protection Officers of the Philippines (Nadpop), for the establishment of an Information Exchange Network. This network would function as a regional cyber weather station, disseminating threat alerts to affected areas. Such an initiative is vital for enhancing regional preparedness and response capabilities.

The challenge is significant. PH-CERT and Nadpop estimate that the Philippines alone requires 180,000 trained cybersecurity professionals to protect its CIIs. A comparable number of data privacy and governance professionals are also needed to ensure comprehensive security.

The joint meeting also highlighted the five pillars of the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) published by the United Nations International Telecommunications Union (ITU): Legal, Technical, Organizational, Capacity Building, and Cooperation. These pillars serve as a framework for evaluating and enhancing national cybersecurity postures.

Averia and Jacoba shared that upcoming joint initiatives between government and private sector entities aim to address the cybersecurity gaps identified in the GCI pillars. Such initiatives are crucial for building a robust defense against cyber threats. Averia pointed out that when government and private sector organizations collaborate effectively, the primary beneficiaries are the citizens.

“We are inviting all active Communities of Practice in the region to collaborate with our regional community, the AJCCA, as threat actors are also organized in their actions. We truly need a whole-of-region, whole-of-society, and even whole-of-community cooperation to effectively respond to cyber threats,” Jacoba stressed.

In this context, organizations must leverage advanced technologies and expert services to fortify their defenses. Directpath Global Technologies (DGT) stands ready to support this collective effort. As a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), DGT offers a suite of 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. Our advanced Artificial Intelligence Division is dedicated to tailoring solutions not just for cybersecurity, but for various operational needs, ensuring comprehensive protection and efficiency.

The urgency of addressing cyber threats cannot be overstated. As cyber actors become more sophisticated and organized, so too must our defense strategies. By fostering collaboration across sectors and regions, and by leveraging the expertise and technology of organizations like Directpath Global Technologies, we can build a resilient cybersecurity framework that safeguards our digital future.

Source: Back End News