Philippine Private Sector Advisory Council takes steps to strengthen national cybersecurity
In a proactive move to fortify the nation's digital infrastructure against increasing cyber threats, the Digital Infrastructure sector of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) convened a crucial meeting chaired by Sabin Aboitiz, PSAC lead convenor, and Henry Aguda, PSAC - Digital Infra Sector lead.
A set of key recommendations was presented to Philippine President Bongbong Marcos, aiming to enhance the country's cyber defenses.
Addressing the urgency of the situation, Henry Aguda “underscored the critical need for proactive measures to safeguard our nation's critical information infrastructure.”
“The recommendations aim to fortify our defenses against evolving cyber threats, ensuring the resilience and security of our digital landscape,” he said.
President Marcos acknowledged the urgency, expressing the need for structural requirements in the legislation. He committed to working on key acts such as the Cybersecurity Act, Anti-Mule, and the Online Site Blocking Act.
PSAC Digital Infrastructure strongly advocated for an Executive Order mandating Minimum Information Security Standards for Critical Information Infrastructure, aligning with the National Cybersecurity Plan. This strategic move aims to enhance the resilience of vital systems against potential cyber intrusions.
Highlighting the urgency, the council stressed the certification of Senate Bill No. 1365, the Cybersecurity Act, and Senate Bill No. 2039, the Anti-Mule Act, as Priority Legislation. These bills hold substantial potential to fortify cybersecurity's legal framework and combat financial cyber crimes.
Encouraging President Marcos's support, PSAC Digital Infrastructure endorsed the upcoming Data Unity Summit and urged the President to deliver a keynote address. Emphasizing the administration's commitment to fostering data unity and security is crucial.
The council fully supported the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to combat fraud and financial cyber threats by establishing a Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group. This initiative will focus on creating a Mobile Device Database and Anti-Financial Crimes Command Center.
Marcos expressed openness to outsourcing expertise, stating, "We shouldn't be shy about outsourcing because we don't need to reinvent the wheel, which is being reinvented every day."
The council reaffirmed its dedication to collaborating closely with the government and stakeholders to implement these recommendations effectively. The aim is to elevate the country's cybersecurity posture and ensure a robust defense against evolving cyber threats.
