Experts urge cyber overhaul as risks threaten Phl

The Philippine Institute of Cyber Security Professionals (PICSPro) is mounting a fresh push for sweeping cybersecurity reforms, warning that the country’s digital vulnerabilities now pose direct risks to the economy, government services, and public trust.

PICSPro Chairman Angel Redoble said Wednesday that the country must move beyond “reactive, fragmented, and ceremonial approaches” to build a secure, globally competitive digital environment backed by strong laws, capable institutions, and a skilled workforce.

“What we are seeing today is the result of years of underinvestment, lack of coordination, and misplaced priorities. Cybersecurity is national security, economic security, and public safety,” Redoble said.

He pointed out that this year’s breaches—such as a major Department of Science and Technology data compromise, intelligence warnings, and defacements of key government websites—expose critical vulnerabilities, with hacktivist intrusions showing current defenses are ineffective.

As such, the group called for urgent policy and institutional reforms, advocating a whole-of-nation approach with strong standards, reliable infrastructure, skilled personnel, and international cooperation.

PICSPro’s framework targets to close gaps through stronger laws, standardized security protocols, coordinated incident response, and continuous skills development—foundations needed to protect the country from cyber threats.

“Our goal is to help the Philippines build a truly resilient cybersecurity ecosystem—one that protects our institutions, our economy, and our people,” Redoble said.

“We need coordinated reforms, not a patchwork of projects. That is the only way to defend the country from the new generation of cyber threats.”

PICSPro is a group of cybersecurity professionals advocating national cybersecurity standards through legislation, institutional improvements, academic partnerships, and multi-sector collaboration.