THE Philippines should improve its cyber security capabilities given
the "reality of cyber attacks," Vice President Jejomar Binay said on
Monday.
Speaking during the conclusion of the Information and Communications
Technology (ICT) Development and Cyber Security Enhancement Workshop of
the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), Binay said “(a)
country’s information systems may be less tangible than its physical
borders but these are in no way less valuable to a nation’s
sovereignty.”
He said the internet has become a “borderless venue of information
technology” that has become “the most resilient and reliable
infrastructure for personal propaganda.”
He cited the recent cyber security threats, including the defacement
of several government websites allegedly perpetrated by the Chinese
hackers as a result of the ongoing dispute over the Panatag Shoal.
The Vice President said that the Philippines recognizes the “crucial truths” of these recent events.
“Left untamed and unbridled, these new breed of criminals will push the very limits of system security,” he said.
“Cyber attacks on a national scale make or break a nation’s political
and economy position. If no global collaborative effort is credibly
organized and upheld, it is doubtful that any country will be equipped
to readily and effectively respond to the cyber attacks of the future,”
added Binay, an alumnus of the NDCP.
Binay also said that in response to this growing concern, the
lawmakers have been pushing for the passage of the Cyber Security Act of
2012.
“This seminal legislation aims to create and protect an environment
conducive to development, acceleration, and rational application of
information and communications technology without sacrificing the
integrity and confidentiality of computers, computer and communications
systems, networks, and databases,” he said.
He added that no less than the United States has made cyber security a high priority.
“Increased investments in resilient security measures are being made
as US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta reveals that cyber threats are
growing rampant every day and without proper capabilities to counter
these threats, any country can be paralyzed,” Binay said.
“Both the private and public sectors risk the most painful losses and
as such we must stand shoulder to shoulder if we are to guarantee
safety if not victory,” he added.
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SunStar.Com.Ph | June 11, 2012 | Article Link
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