U.S. and Asia Foundation launch initiative to strengthen cybersecurity for Philippine human rights groups
Left: (From left) The Asia Foundation Country Representative Sam Chittick, Dakila Executive Director Leni Velasco, and USAID Acting Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks show their commitment to protecting human rights defenders against digital threats during the launch of the Cybersecurity for Human Rights in the Philippines (C4HR-PH) initiative on 12 December.
Manila, 13 December 2024—To mark Human Rights Day, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and The Asia Foundation unveiled the "Cybersecurity for Human Rights in the Philippines" (C4HR-PH) initiative on 12 December. The Php16.8-million ($300,000) program aims to bolster the digital resilience of over 150 Philippine human rights organizations against cybersecurity threats like doxing, phishing, and coordinated attacks.
As part of USAID and The Asia Foundation’s ongoing Initiative for Advancing Community Transformation (I-ACT) project, the "Cybersecurity for Human Rights in the Philippines" (C4HR-PH) initiative will provide tools and training to more than 150 local organizations across the country over ten months.
Cybersecurity experts from The Asia Foundation will work closely with national human rights coalitions to design and deliver trainings in risk management, digital security assessments, phishing awareness, and the adoption of cybersecurity protocols such as multi-factor authentication and regular data backups.
The tools and knowledge provided through C4HR-PH will help human rights defenders conduct their crucial advocacy work, safeguard private data, and advance justice and accountability without disruption or retribution.
"Now more than ever, civil society organizations are reliant on technology and the internet to operate and pursue our advocacies," said Sheila Formento, National Coordinator of the Alternative Law Groups, a coalition of organizations that provide legal services to marginalized communities.
"We welcome this partnership as it helps us protect our members who are constantly online and vulnerable to cyberattacks."
Right: USAID Acting Mission Director Eubanks (seated right) speaks to representatives of human rights organizations about USAID’s commitment to supporting their cybersecurity resilience. She is joined by (seated from left) Initiative for Advancing Community Transformation (I-ACT) Chief of Party Atty. Paolo "Paco" Camacho and The Asia Foundation Country Representative Sam Chittick.
C4HR-PH underscores USAID's commitment to fostering secure, empowered, and resilient organizations that can continue their critical work of promoting human rights and democracy.
"Cyber resilience is not just about protecting data; it is about ensuring that democracy defenders can continue their vital work without fear of digital interference,” USAID Philippines Acting Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks said during the launch event attended by human rights advocates, cybersecurity experts, and other stakeholders. "This initiative reflects USAID’s commitment to fostering a safe and open digital space for civil society."
"Civil society organizations are considered a high-risk community for cyberattacks because they can become under direct threat of malicious attackers but have limited defense capabilities. This crucial program will give our participants the tools and knowledge to better prevent disruptions, defend themselves, and continue to advance the work that they do," said The Asia Foundation Philippines Country Representative Sam Chittick.