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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Castro tells DICT to do this in response to persistent hacking of government assets 

Castro tells DICT to do this in response to persistent hacking of government assets 

Published Apr 8, 2024 04:44 am

At A Glance

  • House Deputy Minority Leader ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro wants the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) take on a more proactive role in protecting online assets of the government from hackers. 

philipp-katzenberger-iIJrUoeRoCQ-unsplash.jpg(Unsplash)

House Deputy Minority Leader ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro wants the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) take on a more proactive role in protecting online assets of the government from hackers.

Castro made this call Monday, April 8 as online attacks on government websites and computer systems continue to take place.

"The DICT should establish guidelines and minimum requirements for cyber defense across all government agencies and data repositories to mitigate the risk of hacking incidents. It is crucial to invest in secure systems to safeguard sensitive information and protect the privacy of Filipino citizens," Castro said.

"The government must prioritize cybersecurity measures over discretionary funds and ensure the protection of citizens' data against cyber threats," reckoned the Makabayan solon.

She highlighted the urgency for government agencies, especially in light of the upcoming midterm elections, to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities to safeguard against potential online attacks.

Castro pointed to the alarming findings from past elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq. She emphasized concerns about ballot secrecy, vulnerability to hacking, and potential manipulation of election results using technology from Miru Systems, the South Korean company approved by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

"The Marcos administration, particularly the [DICT] and the [Comelec], must act swiftly to address these cybersecurity threats. It is imperative that measures are put in place to protect our systems from cyber attacks, ensuring the integrity of our electoral process and safeguarding our votes," she stressed.

Furthermore, in light of the recent hacking of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), where a significant amount of personal and sensitive information was compromised, the lady solon raised concerns on the potential vulnerability of other databases, such as the SIM card registration and the National ID system.

She called for enhanced vigilance and robust cyber defense mechanisms to prevent the unauthorized access and exploitation of Filipinos' private data.

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Department of Information and Communications Technology Hacking FRANCE CASTRO
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