The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has partnered with Digital Pilipinas (DP) to build a roadmap for a more secure digital future for the Philippines as the agency moves to position the country as a cybersecurity hub.
This comes in the face of the Philippines being second in the world when it comes to the number of recorded cyberattacks, losing up to P100 million in each instance, according to data provided by the Philippine National Police.
In the recent Cybersecurity Month 2023 Kick-off ceremony, DICT secretary Ivan Uy said, “The DICT pushes for a cybersecure future. Our goal is to unify these sectors, capacitate and nurture cybersecurity professionals, and assist agencies in protecting their data.”
On how the DICT intends to support its drive to upskill and strengthen the country’s professional cybersecurity industry, Uy said: “We will offer scholarships and programs, essential trainings, and assist in orienting them on protecting ICT assets. We will achieve this cybersecurity intelligence with the establishment of a National Cybersecurity Operations Center.”
This year, Digital Pilipinas, a private sector-led movement for creating an innovation and technology ecosystem, has teamed up with the DICT and its Cybersecurity Bureau to develop and promote a consistent cybersecurity framework.
Cybersecurity Month 2023 is anchored on the theme, “Sama-Sama para sa Cyberseguridad” which aims to inspire and initiate collective efforts in cybersecurity for a more digitally healthy future for the country.
The kick-off event gathered government officials, industry leaders, various experts in their respective fields, investors, and foreign dignitaries to join the conversation on how to collaborate efficiently and develop truly effective cyberattack protocols and defenses.
Emphasizing the point about working together with key stakeholders in the government and other interested parties who want to offer support, Uy continued, “We call for unity and collaboration among the public and private sectors.”
Jeffrey Dy, the undersecretary of the DICT’s Cybersecurity Bureau, delivered the opening remarks at the event where he underlined the importance of being open to collaboration and strengthening the cybersecurity workforce to achieve the country’s greater cybersecurity goals.
“Let us remember that cybersecurity is not just a technical issue, but also a human one,” Dy said. “It affects all of us, and we must bridge the gap between technical expertise and public understanding to make cybersecurity accessible and understandable to everyone, so that we can protect our digital lives and create a more secure and reliable cyberspace.”
Key industry and cybersecurity palyers, including co-convenors of DP, will take part in the different activities during the Cybersecurity Month.
Organized by the DICT Cybersecurity Bureau and DP, Cybersecurity Month will serve as the lead up to the inaugural TrustTech and Cybersecurity Festival, happening during the upcoming Digital Pilipinas Festival Year 2, which is set to run from November 20-24, at the SMX Aura Convention Center and in various co-located venues and innovation hubs across the country.
To seal the partnership with Digital Pilipinas, Uy and Dy signed a memorandum of understanding with Amor Maclang, convenor of Digital Pilipinas.
The upcoming Digital Pilipinas Festival represents the largest push for more initiatives, collaborations and investments to the Philippines, in partnership with the DICT and several national line agencies.
