VP Binay urges cybersecurity upgrades vs 'reality' of cyberattacks

Citing the "reality" of cyber-attacks from other countries —like the ones that marred the standoff between the Philippines and China at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal— Vice President Jejomar Binay pushed Monday for upgrades in the Philippines' cybersecurity capabilities and infrastructure.

 

Binay stressed this at the end of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Development and Cyber Security Enhancement Workshop of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP).

 

"(The Internet has become a) borderless venue of information technology (that has become) the most resilient and reliable infrastructure for personal propaganda,” he 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 added.

 

Excerpts of his speech were posted late Monday on the Office of the Vice President website.

 

In pushing for an upgrade in cybersecurity, Binay cited the recent defacement of several government websites by Chinese hackers in the first few weeks of the standoff.

 

“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,” said Binay, an alumnus of the NDCP.

 

The Philippines and China have been locked in a standoff since early April, when Philippine forces spotted Chinese fishermen gathering marine species in the area but were blocked by Chinese vessels when they tried to make arrests.

 

Shortly after news of the standoff broke out, pro-China hackers attacked the University of the Philippines website, while pro-Philippine hackers retaliated with similar attacks on Chinese websites.

 

Aside from government websites, the sites of some private Philippine media outlets were also attacked, with the defacements including a message that Huangyan Island belongs to China.

 

Huangyan is the name China uses to refer to the disputed area.

 

Crucial truths

 

Binay also said the Philippines recognizes the “crucial truths” of these recent events.

 

He also said attacks may come from cybercriminals as well.

 

“Left untamed and unbridled, these new breed of criminals will push the very limits of system security,” 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.

 

In response to this growing concern, he noted 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.

 

Meanwhile, in the same workshop, retired Army Maj. Gen. Ernesto Ardanas has proposed the creation of a cybersecurity institute in the NDCP that would serve as a hub for the development and safeguarding of ICT facilities in response to national security issues. — TJD, GMA News