Philippine Cybersecurity Awareness Month Concludes with PICC and AJCCA active participation
Manila, Philippines — Today marked the closing of the Philippine Cybersecurity Awareness Month with a high-profile Philippine International Cybersecurity Conference (PICC) held at the Sheraton Manila Bay. Organized by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), this significant event aimed to foster a heightened awareness of cybersecurity across the country.
The event was opened by Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian CD, who praised the consistent efforts from the government, organizations, and the public in strengthening cybersecurity awareness. He also expressed gratitude for the impressive attendance despite adverse weather conditions caused by a storm in the northern part of the country. “The dedication and resilience shown today are proof of our shared commitment to a safer digital landscape for all,” said Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian CD, applauding the persistence of participants who made it despite the challenges.
One of the distinguished speakers was Rudi Lumanto, Chairman of the ASEAN and Japan Cybersecurity Community Alliance (AJCCA), who emphasized the Philippine government’s notable improvement in its commitment to cybersecurity over the past few years. Citing the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index, Lumanto highlighted the country’s progress since 2020. However, he noted a gap between government commitment and the needs of cybersecurity communities actively working in the field. “There is still a need for increased collaboration to enhance communication with society,” he said, stressing the importance of community involvement in creating a more robust cybersecurity ecosystem. This gap, Lumanto added, signals the need for a more unified approach, with communities playing a greater role in cybersecurity initiatives.
The event also featured the announcement of the six country finalists for the AJCCA’s prestigious Cyber Resilience Award (ACRA). Sam Jacoba, lead coordinator of the award committee, commended the finalists for their significant contributions to cybersecurity, stating that the selection process was challenging due to the exceptional dedication demonstrated by all candidates. “It’s inspiring to see these organizations go above and beyond, continually working to enhance cybersecurity for society,” Jacoba noted, reinforcing the importance of recognizing such outstanding achievements.
Lito Averia, an active AJCCA board member, contributed to the event by moderating an engaging panel discussion on “Governance, Risk, and Compliance” as well as the National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) for 2023-2028. The discussion underscored the need for comprehensive and up-to-date cybersecurity strategies to address evolving threats and ensure resilient systems across both public and private sectors.
The conference highlighted the Philippines’ ongoing commitment to cybersecurity while emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in bridging existing gaps. As the Philippine Cybersecurity Awareness Month comes to a close, the DICT and its partners reaffirm their dedication to building a safe and secure digital environment for all citizens.
