Cybersecurity Awareness tackled in DICT forum

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 16): Cybersecurity Awareness tackled in DICT forum

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in partnership with the Zamboanga Sibugay Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Council recently conducted a Cybersecurity Awareness Forum at Sibugay Grand Plaza Hotel here.

Some 300 participants attended the event including representatives from national government agencies, local government units, the academe and other organizations.

The forum discussed cybersecurity in the Philippines with topics on cybercrime, cyber bullying, cyber harassment, cyber trafficking and cyber libel.

“Warfare has evolved into the cyberspace. Cybersecurity is not yet that organized. Through internet, cybercrime can cripple a country. Cyberterrorism can cripple a country’s economy. We need to be aware of these things,” Roderick Cruz, Cybersecurity focal person of DICT Cluster I warned the participants.

Board Member Eufemio Javier Jr., Zamboanga Sibugay ICT Council president said the online behavior of the youth is quite alarming. “Based on a recent survey, an individual spends 18.6 – 28 hours per week, 2.6 – 4 hours a day on the internet. Nowadays, there are many existing online scam, online libel, identity theft and other cybercrimes,” he stated.

BM Javier advised, “Pause before you post, think before you click.”

Meanwhile, Ms. Cealita Evans, a Washington-based cybersecurity consultant said to date, there are 26 cyber security bills being passed in the Congress. “A hacker can lock out accounts of various companies, then demand huge amount and that is easy money,” she declared.

Evans  said that when we post anything on Facebook, we should practice being vigilant and important information must be withheld. She also cautioned that fake applications, fake plug-ins, data breaching, web defacement, internet fraud, credit card fraud, pornography, anti-voyeurism, among others are existing online.

“The role of government in cybersecurity is to help combat cybercrimes. Let us be aware of our rights against cybercrimes. Be vigilant all the time and do not depend everything on the police. We must also know how to  police ourselves,” she concluded.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1361473988800/cybersecurity-awareness-tackled-in-dict-forum