The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) put up additional cybersecurity measures to secure its websites after a foiled hacking attempt traced back to China.
PCG Commandant, Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered an investigation after the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) informed them about the alleged attempt to break into the website of the National Coast Watch System.
Over the weekend, the DICT reported that it blocked cyberattacks against the web applications of the PCG's National Coast Watch System, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the DICT itself, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
The attack was made last month and the internet protocol (IP) address was reportedly traced to a certain China Unicorn, a Chinese government-owned telecommunications firm.
The National Coast Watch System is the central inter-agency mechanism for a coordinated and coherent approach on maritime issues and maritime security operations towards enhancing governance in the country's maritime domain.
The PCG did not confirm whether or not there was a connection between the hacking attempt and the Philippines-China maritime row in the West Philippine Sea.
PCG heightens cybersecurity measures after failed Chinese hacking attempt
At a glance
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) put up additional cybersecurity measures to secure its websites after a foiled hacking attempt traced back to China.
PCG Commandant, Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan instructed the Coast Guard Public Affairs Service (CGPAS) to initiate an investigation after the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) informed them about the alleged attempt to break into the website of the National Coast Watch System.
"We will ensure that the website is secure, that there is enough firewall to prevent it from being infiltrated by hackers," PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo said.
According to Balilo, a DICT personnel inquired to them last month if they have monitored any hacking attempt on their website.
"But so far, we have not monitored anything. Our website remains secure," the official stated.
Over the weekend, DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy reported that their department blocked cyberattacks against the web applications of the PCG's National Coast Watch System, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the DICT itself, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Dy said that the attack was made last month and the internet protocol (IP) address was reportedly traced to a certain China Unicorn, a Chinese government-owned telecommunications firm.
The National Coast Watch System is the central inter-agency mechanism for a coordinated and coherent approach on maritime issues and maritime security operations towards enhancing governance in the country's maritime domain.
The PCG did not confirm whether or not there was a connection between the hacking attempt and the Philippines-China maritime row in the West Philippine Sea.
But Balilo emphasized that the safeguarding of their websites forms part of their efforts to prevent the proliferation of fake news online.
"While the website is for public consumption, we do not want hackers polluting our site with fake news and making it appear that we authored the spread of falsehoods. We must also protect the site from computer viruses," the PCG spokesperson said.