DND to hosts 3-day EWG for cybersecurity

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 17): DND to hosts 3-day EWG for cybersecurity

With lawless elements now using the Internet as a platform to launch their attacks, the Philippines will be hosting the inaugural meeting of the Experts Working Group (EWG) for Cybersecurity of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM)-Plus from Monday to Wednesday.

The event will be held at the Hotel Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria. The activity is part of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN, DND Management Information System Service head Jesus Lomeda said.

The ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN and its eight dialogue partners to strengthen security and defence cooperation for peace, stability, and development in the region.

It includes 10 ASEAN member states, namely, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic , Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and eight other countries, namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States.

The DND through Lomeda, holds the co-chairmanship of the said EWG, together with Mike Thompson, Director (Asia) of the International Branch, Ministry of Defence of New Zealand.

Meanwhile, DND Assistant Secretary for Assessments and International Affairs Raymund Jose G. Quilop is the Working Group Leader of the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADSOM) Plus.

The first leg of the inaugural meeting aims to establish confidence-building and rapport among ADMM-Plus countries by designating a point-of-contact for each member country.

Expert delegates will be presenting their respective country’s cyber security structure, concerns, and current focus to fellow member-countries.

In addition, the meeting will provide a venue for experts to examine the current state of existing cyber security policies and capabilities, enhance awareness on cyber security challenges, responsibilities of each nation and the international community to address such challenges, and how to leverage on the capabilities of each nation in addressing cyber security threats.

The group will also endeavor to encourage the ASEAN member statements and the international community to take a common stand and exert efforts for the protection of cyberspace, and develop appropriate mechanisms for cooperation among the defense and military establishments of ADMM Plus in addressing cyber security.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1001242