Ethical hackers unite against cyber threats, create roadmap for PH cyber defense

Organizers and members of ROOTCON Philippines, the longest-running hacking conference in the country, as well as private sector representatives discussed the latest trends and the role of white hat hackers in shaping cyber security and its future in a press conference last Oct. 7. In the photo from top left to right, are Devnull, ROOTCON FVP and moderator; Shipcode, ROOTCON admin and Practice Principal for a confidential company; Amor Maclang, Convenor of Digital Pilipinas and Co-founder of Geiser Maclang Marketing Communications, Inc.; Eman0n, HR Manager at ROOTCON; Aj Dumanhug, Chief Information Security Officer at Secuna; Mark Frogoso, Chief Information Security Officer of Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations)/GCASH; Jallain Manrique, Partner, Lighthouse Lead, Head of Tech Consulting at KPMG Philippines; 0xMON, ROOTCON Goon and financial security consultant; and Dax “Semprix" Labrador, Founder of ROOTCON, and Director of Professional Services at Viking Cloud

With cybercrime one of the biggest immediate threats facing companies today, one of the effective yet little-known methods that can counter their assaults is the engagement of white hat or ethical hackers. This unique strategy was highlighted in ROOTCON15, the longest-running and premier hacking conference in the Philippines, which recently held a webinar where leaders in the field and knowledge partners from the private sector discussed various issues related to cybersecurity for the Philippines as seen from the perspective of white hat hackers.

The event was organized by the top officers of ROOTCON in partnership with GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications, Inc. (GMCI) who is the convenor of Digital Pilipinas and World Fintech Festival-Philippines 2021; Globe Telecom; and KPMG Philippines.

During the discussion, DevNull, goon at Rootcon, expressed that the changes in working environment caused by the pandemic have "placed cybersecurity experts, IT professionals, and white hat hackers at the forefront of countering digital threats to avoid business disruptions."

Amor Maclang, Digital Pilipinas Convenor and GMCI Co-founder, shared that as the Philippines is becoming an emerging player in FinTech in the ASEAN region, “the need to build the country’s cyber posture is becoming more important, and that cybersecurity experts together with the government and private sector will play an increasingly relevant role in bringing the Philippines to its rightful place as a digital leader. That is why Digital Pilipinas is enabling platforms like ROOTCON to address such emerging trends and challenges.