Alabang, Muntinlupa – “It is high time that we incorporate cybersecurity-related training for our personnel to increase their knowledge and awareness on the risks, threats and attacks on cyberspace and to fortify cybersecurity across the Board.” Deputy Executive Director Teresita Audea said in her opening message during the Board’s Cybersecurity Seminar-Workshop last July 8-10, 2024 at Crimson Hotel, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa.

Led by cybersecurity experts from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the three-day seminar-workshop gathered IT officers and focals of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board across the country to learn about proper cybersecurity incident handling and response. The activity aimed to equip the Board’s personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge to counter any form of cyberthreats.

“Cybersecurity is more than just a necessity. It has become an integral part of everything that we do,” said Engr. George Tardio, OIC-Critical Infostructure Evaluation and Cybersecurity Standards Division. He stressed the significance of cybersecurity on an individual’s professional and personal life. 

With the ongoing digital transformation and in line with the recent waves of cyberattacks in government agencies, Internal Services Department Director Marife Fausto highlighted the importance of strengthening and enhancing the organization’s digital security measures. “In light of the increasing digital threats, it is essential that our personnel be knowledgeable on cybersecurity risk management, assess vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies to address threats,” she stated.

Likewise, Deputy Executive Director Maria Cristina Mangaliman said the Board  is committed in capacitating its personnel with the necessary skills to become effective when cybersecurity-related incidents arise. “Because of the ever-dynamic cybersecurity environment, we (the Board) see to it that our personnel are empowered with the skills and knowledge to counter cyberattacks,” she mentioned.

Part of the training activity was a simulation workshop on proper cyber incident response and handling led by Mr. Kris Rodzen Delos Santos, Information Systems Researcher of the Cybersecurity Bureau. The tabletop exercise taught the participants on proper cybersecurity risk assessment, actions, and proper escalation.

The 3-day training workshop covered topics on National Cybersecurity Plan 2023-2028 discussed by Engr. George Tardio, Basic Network and Endpoint Security Concepts discussed by Engr. Francis Gubangco, Vulnerability Assessment and Risk Management, Basic Concepts of Cybersecurity discussed by Engr. Zairo Shin F. Maniacop, and Incident Response Essentials discussed by Engr. Rommel Lim.

Ensuring future digital readiness of the Board, the activity also provided an avenue for the IT officers and focals to discuss its Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP) to fasttrack the buildup of digital transformation within the Board in line with the thrust of the current administration.

end/nikka garcia