Following the recent hacking attempt on the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) systems, Atty. Nick Conti, Chief Executive Officer of Capstone-Intel Corporation, argued that it is high time that the national government, especially its attached agencies, address and mainstream these cybersecurity issues that are currently being faced by these government agencies.
“The national government, specifically the Department of Information and Communications Technology, should craft cybersecurity protocols and pass laws that cater to protecting networks, systems, and both government and public data from unauthorized access or cyber attack,” Atty. Conti said.
“It is deeply alarming since not only does it threaten government operations, it likewise terrorizes potential compromises of public information that could be used by hackers to advance their hidden agendas against the national government,” he added.
Previously, a string of hacking incidents were reported on several government agencies, including BOC and the Philippine Coast Guard, among others, and it’s alarming that no one is getting apprehended for this, he said.
According to Atty. Conti, information security consulting companies can actually help government departments solve these cybersecurity issues and ensure that confidential information of the public is not compromised or leaked.
“Companies that offer solutions to these kinds of pressing problems, like Innefu, can alleviate and deter these concerns from prospering not only in the government but also in the private sector,” said Atty. Conti said.
He likewise said that these cybersecurity concerns are “worrying” considering that the trends in the digital landscape are quickly changing to the point that the national government and its concerned departments can no longer keep up to strengthen its security measures alongside these issues.
“It’s crucial that the Philippine government maximize these information security firms at this point, considering that the trends in the digital landscape are fast changing and worrying. As long as these hacking incidents persist, our public security remains at stake,” he added.
