Philippines is considered the largest known source of online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) cases with an upsetting 264.63% increase between March 1 to May 24,2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Last year, 957 cybercrime cases were reported with data leak, hacking, and phishing topping the list. To address this, a webinar called “Parenting in a Digital Age” focusing on child pornography, cyberbullying, internet addiction and proactive tips on modern parenting among others was successfully conducted with 10,261 participants in a single conduct.
Furthermore, the DICT also partnered with Digital Tayo of Facebook during the country’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month for a cybersecurity training series. With experts from across the Asia Pacific region ushered by the Digital Tayo team, the online course provided accessible learning modules on digital skills and cyber safety to shape the Philippine digital community. 14,555 attendees finished with certificates and Facebook livestream garnered 43,743 actual views. The wide reach acquired through the newly-devised strategy played a vital role in this endeavour towards a safe resilient digitized nation.

https://www.dict.gov.ph

• Zamboanga Peninsula and BaSulTa(Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi), Philippines

• Youth
• Older persons
• Women
• Indigenous and nomadic peoples
• People with disabilities
• The unemployed
• The poor
• Remote and rural communities
• none

The percentage of online users in the country dramatically increases as more and more people learn to engage in cyberspace with limited face-to-face interactions observed not to mention schools shifting to online learning in this time of pandemic. For this reason, replicability of this project is effectively achieved through engagement with stakeholders and social media promotion to reach even the remote communities as more webinars will be conducted across the different parts of the country. The complementary projects of the government such as the provision of free internet in the unserved and underserved communities reinforce the goal to educate every Filino on the dangers that lurk in the internet.

As mentioned, the government formulated its National Cybersecurity Plan with the primary goals of: (1) assuring the continuous operation of our nation’s critical infostructures, public and military networks (2) implementing cyber resiliency measures to enhance our ability to respond to threats before, during and after attacks, (3) effective coordination with law enforcement agencies and (4) a cybersecurity educated society. The DICT through its attached agency the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) is at the forefront in making this happen. Both offensive and defensive strategies are a priority thus sustainability of this project is never in question. Moreover, the fast advancement of technology gives birth to countless possibilities of online risks hence the need for early detection and careful study of future online threats in order to formulate new suitable training modules to be used to further strengthen the country’s defense against these threats.

The wise use of ICT opens a gateway to infinite opportunities for the public, but cyber threats may affect excessively the functioning of life be it financial, legal or reputational. The prevalence of online risks,often disruptive, broadcasted over the media also gives room for doubt in ICT use among the end users impairing its optimal impact. The information security governance and risk management approaches of the government are critical in building confidence and security in the use of ICT paving the way for the country’s digital transformation.