According to statistics from the Kaspersky Security Network, the Philippines ranks 4th among countries most targeted by web threats. In 2021 alone, more than 50 million cyberthreat attempts were monitored which entails an upsetting 433% increase from 2017 with malware and malicious files topping the list. Moreover, a global study revealed that 20 percent of Filipinos aged 12 to 17 using the internet became victims of Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC).
In its effort to combat these ever-present cybersecurity threats, the DICT has strengthened its cybersecurity education program more than ever through online, face-to-face ,and partnership strategies essential to improving the country’s cybersecurity posture amid rising digitalization. In Region IX(Zamboanga Peninsula) and BASULTA, home to various ethnic groups, an in-house Learning Management System(LMS) has been developed where free cybersecurity courses are accessible online and on-demand. To date, the said LMS has already educated 23000+ individuals who finished with completion certificates. Additionally, the free cybersafety webinars designed to shape the Philippine digital community livestreamed on Zoom and Facebook which started back in 2020 had digitally upskilled and awarded 50,000+ individuals with completion certificates. The wide reach acquired through the new normal strategies played a vital role in this endeavor toward a safe, resilient, digitized nation.

https://www.facebook.com/DICT.RO9BASULTA

• Region IX, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi, Philippines

• Youth
• Older persons
• Women
• Indigenous and nomadic peoples
• People with disabilities
• The unemployed
• The poor
• Migrants
• Refugees and internally displaced people
• Remote and rural communities

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 during the pandemic. For this reason, the replicability of this project is effectively achieved through partnering with stakeholders and social media promotion to reach even the remote communities so that more training and webinars will be conducted across the different parts of the country. Also, targeted approaches are paramount to an effective reproduction in consideration of the cybercrime trends such as but not limited to the conduct of face-to-face cybersecurity awareness caravans to schools, parents, women, children, business owners, etc. The complementary projects of the government such as the provision of free internet in the unserved and underserved communities also reinforce the goal to educate every Filipino 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 of making this happen. Both reactive and proactive strategies are a priority thus the 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 to formulate new suitable training modules 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 excessively affect 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.