The Philippines recently hosted the International Conference on ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Community (IC-AJCC) to tackle current data protection issues, hounding local — and global — companies.
The conference, dubbed CyberSecConPH and held on September 19, was a collaborative initiative between the Philippine Computer Emergency Response Team (PH-CERT) and the National Association of Data Protection Officers of the Philippines (NADPOP).
Samuel Jacoba, founding president of NADPOP, said CyberSecConPH “is more than just a conference,” but a “catalyst” for change.
“It is about time that a multi-country approach spearheaded by stakeholders will join hands and fight against cybercriminals,” Jacoba said.
The executive said the conference drew more than 100 of the country’s top chief information security officers (CISOs), chief information officers (CIOs), and data professionals. The aim is to foster a culture of knowledge-sharing and collaboration.”
Aside from Philippine experts, the conference also invited speakers from across the globe, including Seiichi Ito, chair of the International Relations Committee of the NPO Japan Network Security Association (JNSA), and Dr. Rudi Lumanto, founder and advisor of the Indonesia Network Security Association (IdNSA).
PH-CERT president Lito Averia discussed cybersecurity best practices in the Philippines, as well officials from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
DICT undersecretary Jeffrey Dy emphasized the need for governments and corporations to prioritize data and digital infrastructure protection. He also highlighted ongoing efforts like the National Cybersecurity Plan and international partnerships.
The conference also featured Wilson Chua, co-founder of Bandwidth and Signal Strength Philippines (BASS); Engels Antonio, ICT Committee chair of the National Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development; Dr. William Yu, CTO of MDI Novare; Atty. Mara Villegas, PH-CERT vice president for legal; Dr. Arne Barcelo, Service Management Track head of the Information Systems Department at the University of Sto. Tomas; Atty. Francis Acero, data protection officer of Meralco; and Abet Dela Cruz, co-founder of PH-CERT.
Jacoba further said the conference aims to shed light on the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, emphasizing the need for vigilance, cooperation, and personal responsibility in an increasingly digital world.
Furthermore, it strives to establish a cybersecurity community of practice within the Philippines while building connections with similar communities in Asia, Jacoba said.
The Japan leg of the conference meanwhile is scheduled in Tokyo on October 5 to October 6, which is expected to showcase the commitment to regional security.
