Several Philippine government agencies and the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines emphasize the need for cooperation among like-minded states to combat cybersecurity threats in the country.
The Departments of National Defense, Budget and Management, and Information and Communications Technology, and the Canadian Embassy made the statement during a two-day Cybersecurity Conference held on January 16 to 17, 2024 in Makati City. Stratbase Institute organized the conference in partnership with the Canadian Embassy.
In his speech, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman said Canada is willing to work together with the Philippines to address cybersecurity threats.
“Now, more than ever, with the growing threat from the proliferation of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, like-minded countries must work together to build a resilient and adaptable cyber workforce for the future; indeed, one trained and ready for whatever the future may hold,” he explained.
“It is in this light, my friends, that Canada is prepared to work hand-in-hand with the Philippines to build this capacity together,” Hartman said.
Hartman noted that the Philippines has been a “leading victim in the rise of cybercrimes” such as ransomware, fraud, theft, or the online victimization of children.
“This country has been described as the ‘patient zero’ of the misinformation and disinformation plague that has infected so many societies. The continued and pervasive deployment of misinformation and disinformation in the Philippine digital ecosystem, taken together with the memory of the 2016 hack of the Commission of Elections, illustrates the vulnerability of democratic processes to malign influence,” he said.
Similarly, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro also emphasized the importance of cooperation with like-minded states in addressing cyber security risks in the Philippines.
“We know that the Philippines now, as Ambassador Hartman said, is patient zero for vulnerability. From information security to exploitation of children,” he explained.
“And this gives us room right now for working and cooperating together with like-minded partners, creating the proper frameworks and operational and institutional arrangements for long-term cooperation with the Philippine countries’ interests in mind, and respecting those of like-minded nations,” Teodoro said.
Teodoro also noted that the country is now transitioning into strict operational security to address the Philippines’ vulnerabilities.
“Our department is taking the lead right now to transition into strict operational security. That starts from individual security, facility security, to digital hygiene, to the architecture that we’re going to put into our systems. And finally, into the required amount of information that we can release and not release by way of regulations that are going to be enacted,” he said.
Furthermore, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said cooperation among like-minded nations is inevitable, especially in the areas of digitalization and economic development.
“In today’s fast-paced, modern, and interconnected world, it is inevitable that we fortify cyber cooperation toward digital security—as the title of this event suggests. And I believe today’s conference is a strong testament to our commitment to doing such, especially seeing astounding participation from different sectors of society, including members from the international community,” Pangandaman said.
Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan Uy was also in attendance during the Cybersecurity Conference.
In an interview with the media at the sidelines of the event, he vowed to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity defense, especially in combating cyberespionage.
Stratbase Institute President Dindo Manhit also emphasized the need for a whole-of-society approach and cooperation with like-minded states to ensure digital security in the Philippines.
“A whole-of-Philippine society approach is critical to fully participate in the global digital economy and ensure cyber resilience. This approach opens the space for cooperation and innovation between the public and private sectors, and with like-minded partners,” Manhit said.
Canadian Center for Cybersecurity Head Sami Khoury also noted the need for international partnership in addressing cybersecurity threats.
“I’m proud to be here in the Philippines. We look forward to being international partners on the cybersecurity front. Cyber knows no boundaries. So, the cyber threat actors don’t stop at Canada just because or don’t stop at the Philippines because they don’t intend to go out of the Philippines,” Khoury said.
“[We need to know] how do we work together, how do we learn from each other, how do we share, how do we make each other as an early warning system of cyber—you see something here and you might be patient zero—how do we learn from that patient zero, so we can stop threats elsewhere. It’s all about building that international team cyber and protect our society,” he added.