The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) through the National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-PH) under the Cybersecurity Bureau (CSB) kicks off this year’s HackForGov Capture-the-Flag Competition at the Manila Prince Hotel.
This year’s event was themed “Building Cyber Champions: Stronger Nation through Cyber Awareness and Action,” which aims to continue the DICT’s commitment in building the country’s cybersecurity capacity by providing students with hands-on experience in the various techniques used in the virtual world.
The competition, which is the second of its kind following the success of the inaugural event in 2019, is designed to challenge students’ cybersecurity skills in areas such as cryptography, web security, and network security, among others. The format of the competition is Capture-the-Flag (CTF).
As CTF, participants must locate the vulnerability in the competitor’s side and breach through it, like capturing the enemy flag.
“The DICT sees this HackForGov 2023 competition as an effective initiative to support the Philippine government’s ongoing cybersecurity efforts and programs,” said Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary for Special Concerns, Paul Joseph V. Mercado.
*Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary for Special Concerns, Paul Joseph V. Mercado*
“As we acknowledge the importance of collaboration and open dialogue,” Mercado added, “we must also understand that cultivating the next generation of cyberwarriors is no easy task. Inspiring individuals to become cyber enthusiasts and pursue careers in cybersecurity requires immense passion and dedication. Our goal is to increase the pool of cyber-proficient individuals in the country. To achieve this, the DICT offers various training, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building activities, equipping individuals and organizations with the necessary tools and knowledge to defend against potential cyber-attacks.”
DICT recognizes that cybersecurity is an important issue, and the competition is a way to further increase the pace of developing cyber proficient individuals who can contribute to the country’s fight against threats in the digital space.
Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Upskilling Jeffrey Ian Dy emphasized that it is critical for the government to prioritize cybersecurity and “build a stronger, more secure nation,” as the world embraces digital technologies.
“And we believe that this competition provides a unique opportunity for students to showcase their potential and expertise in the field of cybersecurity,” Asec. Dy said.
Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Upskilling Jeffrey Ian Dy
ASec Dy has also stressed that there are only about 300 cybersecurity experts, most of them are in private. There is less than that in the government sector. Asec Dy admits, discrepancies in income may be a factor. However, Asec Dy also said they are working on incentivizing as compensation.
Because of the low count of cybersecurity experts in the country, it is almost a job guarantee should an individual gain the skills. Asec Dy has also stressed that most of the people in cybersecurity have started out as enthusiasts and self-studied subjects to gain a broader understanding of the meaning of cybersecurity.
Asec Dy is hoping in the coming years, the country would be able to produce up to 200,000 cybersecurity experts.
*Congratulations to the winners of the HackForGov: CERT-PH Cyber Challenge 2023 NCR Regional Qualifier*
Champion: Ellipsis from New Era University
First Runner up: Team Nova from STI Novaliches
Second Runner up: Byte Watchers from De La Salle University
The HackForGov Capture-the-Flag competition will be held over the course of several months, with regional qualifiers leading up to the final event. The winning team from each region will advance to the HackForGov Finals at the national level, where they will compete for the chance to represent the country at the international CTF stage, which will take place in Thailand.
A total of 20 teams from various colleges and universities in the National Capital Region (NCR) have actively participated to showcase their abilities and develop a deeper understanding of the various cybersecurity issues and challenges faced by organizations and individuals which is a pressing concern not just in the Philippines but across the globe.
New Era University’s Team Ellipsis emerged as the Champion of the NCR Regional Qualifying Round during the laborious one-day competition, qualifying them as the NCR representative in the HackForGov Finals to be held later this year. STI College Novaliches’ Team Nova landed 1st place, while De La Salle University’s Team Byte Watchers finished at 2nd place.
A series of separate qualifying rounds for all the regions across the country will be conducted in the remaining months of 2023 to complete the roster of finalists. The winning team from the finals round will represent the country at the international CTF stage.
“As we acknowledge the importance of collaboration and open dialogue, we must also understand that cultivating the next generation of ‘cyber warriors’ is no easy task. Inspiring individuals to become cyber enthusiasts and pursue careers in cybersecurity requires immense passion and dedication. Our goal is to increase the pool of cyber-proficient individuals in the country” said Paul Joseph V. Mercado, DICT Undersecretary for Special Concerns during his Keynote Speech.
Underscoring the alarming status of cybersecurity in the country, Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Upskilling Jeffrey Ian C. Dy strongly encouraged students to pursue a career in the field to help address the shortage of over two million cybersecurity professionals globally.
The event was also supported by various industry partners such as Manila Bulletin, Google, Trend Micro, and Lazada.
“Cybersecurity is a top priority for Google. Beyond forging partnerships, building infrastructure, and designing products that implement security at scale, we invest in campaigns including the YouTube series ‘Hacking Google’ to drive public awareness and education. We’re glad to be a key partner of the DICT in cybersecurity readiness and leadership in the Philippines,” said Yves Gonzalez, Head of Public Policy and Government Relations, Google Philippines.
The DICT believes that HackForGov is a great opportunity to expose students to various exercises and real-world scenarios, providing them a unique opportunity to learn from experts, network with peers, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Regional Qualifying Rounds are set to commence in the 2nd quarter of 2023. The DICT regional offices nationwide are now in full swing of looking for interested participants to join the succeeding competitions.