Poll says Filipinos most concerned about cybersecurity, data privacy

ABOUT 87% of Filipinos placed high approval on bolstering cybersecurity and safeguarding data privacy amid security breaches of Philippine government network systems, a new survey by PUBLiCUS Asia, Inc. revealed.

The consultancy firm said noteworthy support for enhancing cybersecurity in the country was observed particularly in regions like Visayas, among the 50-59 age group, and among high-income individuals.

Since last week, web servers of government agencies have been hit by cyberattacks with the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC) being the latest victims of data breaches. Among the biggest cyberattacks were those on state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) late last year and early this year.

“The public wants to see the government address the growing concern of against cybercrimes related to hacking, data compromise, and other related issues,” Digital Pinoys National Campaigner Ronald B. Gustilo said via Viber message in reaction to the latest poll.

He said the state should allocate funds for cybersecurity tools and hiring of experts that will ensure that the country’s cybersecurity infrastructure is safe and can fend off attacks.

More on the poll, PUBLiCUS Asia said its PAHAYAG first quarter survey of 1,500 respondents showed that apart from cybersecurity, economic initiatives were among the main priorities of Filipinos even though it also reflected little support for economic Charter change or “Cha-cha” through a people’s initiative at only 28%

Garnering the second highest approval among Filipinos at 78% was the Senate’s passing of the daily minimum wage of P100 pesos in the private sector, followed by the proposed review of the Free Tertiary Education Program in all state and local universities and colleges at 74%.

The establishment of a living wage and the distribution of various financial assistance drew 72% and 69% support, respectively.

This was followed by the establishment of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Japan at 64% and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. extending the deadline for the Public Utility Vehicles consolidation at 61%.

Among the least favored national issues were allowing the International Criminal Court to arrest former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, Senator Bato dela Rosa, etc. (28%) and insertion of P800-billion peso unprogrammed funds in the 2024 national budget (22%). 

The study asked respondents from the National Capital Region, North Central Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to rate the issues from one to five, where one is strongly disapproved while five is strongly approved.

The margin of error is 3%.

3 CYBERSECURITY STRATEGIESMeanwhile, Mr. Marcos issued last April 7 Executive Order 58 to adopt the National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023-2028 of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

“The NCSP rationalizes the roles of every government agency in cybersecurity. It detailed how the National Computer Emergency Response Team should be strengthened so it can respond to critical cybersecurity incidents in government agencies, and Critical Information Infrastructures (CII),” DICT Assistant Secretary for CyberSecurity and Upskilling Jeffrey Ian C. Dy told BusinessWorld via Viber message on Wednesday.

Mr. Dy said the DICT is expecting three outcomes out of the implementation of NCSP by 2028, beginning with a consensus in the use of secure routing protocols among internet service providers and telecommunications companies for internet routing, setting up secure cyberspace active elements, and more.

The second is producing more cybersecurity professionals. “We need to set-up civil service positions in cybersecurity. Currently, government has no cybersecurity position,” he said, adding that there are plans for setting up an ICT academy and a cybersecurity center.

Lastly, to enact a cybersecurity law that mandates reporting for critical cybersecurity incidents among CIIs, and government agencies.

However, Mr. Dy said the DICT still needs to discuss with the Department of Budget and Management regarding the budgetary requirement for implementing the NCSP until 2028.— Aubrey Rose A. Inosante