The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in a recently-held forum released a report highlighting cybersecurity issues that Philippine companies currently faces.
The DICT also said in recent years, the Philippines has been grappling with a notable increase in cybersecurity threats, driven by the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Organizations from both the public and private sectors are also recognizing the need for vigilance and proactive measures, the agency noted.
“In the period from 2020 to 2022, approximately 3,000 ‘high-level cyberattacks’ were recorded, alongside the monitoring of 54,000 cyber threats,” Dr. Thelma Villamorel, division chief of DICT Critical Infrastructure Evaluation and Cybersecurity Standards Monitoring (CIECSM) said, citing the report.
Villamorel, in a forum organized by cybersecurity firm Inspira Enterprise, also said the figures are based on the latest available report by the DICT.
Villamorel emphasized the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures, saying that “the data presents a stark reality of the growing cybersecurity threats faced by businesses in the Philippines. We must proactively enhance our defenses to safeguard our digital landscape and protect vital assets from potential cyber threats.”
Cathy Huang, research director of analyst firm IDC who also participated in the forum, echoed this sentiment, referring to IDC’s CEO survey report released in February 2023 which identified cyberthreats and regulations as top risks for businesses.
“Cybersecurity risks are among the key challenges affecting businesses today,” Huang said, as she stressed the need for proactive strategies to safeguard digital assets
Inspira Enterprise, meanwhile, said it is responding to these escalating challenges by launching its state-of-the-art Cyber Fusion Center (CFC) in Taguig City, the first of its kind in the Philippines and fifth globally.
The CFC aims to empower businesses across Asean and Asia Pacific regions to combat cyber risks, the company said.
Josef Figueroa, Asean president of Inspira, emphasized: “The launch of our Cyber Fusion Center marks a pivotal moment in our mission to empower organizations against cyber threats. Our goal is to help safeguard businesses and their invaluable data from the ever-evolving challenges of the digital landscape.”
The Cyber Fusion Center offers advanced technologies and industry-leading expertise, integrating the Security Operations Center (SOC) and the Network Operations Center (NOC) for real-time detection, response, and mitigation of cyber threats.
The CFC serves as a critical hub for Filipino conglomerates, ASEAN multinationals, and Asia Pacific clients, aligning with Inspira’s global expansion strategy, the executive said.
In addition to its security features, the CFC functions as a Customer Experience Center (CEC), showcasing cybersecurity and analytics capabilities. It also aims to foster partnerships with organizations and academic institutions to address the shortage of cybersecurity talent by offering training opportunities.
