Press Release
April 8, 2011

ANGARA: GOV'T MUST BOLSTER ICT SECTOR

Following reports of increasing cyberattacks worldwide, Senator Edgardo J. Angara called for the modernization of the Philippine government agencies tasked to watch over this vital sector.

According to Symantec, an international Internet security firm, online and mobile users were the main targets of cyber threats in 2010. Cases of web attacks increased by a whopping 93% from 2009 to 2010, while mobile phones were reported to have 42% more vulnerabilities against malicious software.

"Now that we have the actual numbers that reflect how susceptible our computer systems are to cybercrime, we must try to protect Filipino users by giving the authorities the means and the power to oversee this industry," said Angara.

To this end, Angara authored Senate Bill No. 50, the "Department of Information and Communications Technology Act of 2010". This bill seeks to reorganize the existing Department of Transportation and Communications, dividing it into two separate bodies--one dedicated solely to transportation, with the other focusing on the growing information and communications technology sector.

The proposed Department of Information and Communications Technology shall be the primary administrative and regulatory body of the government tasked to develop and oversee the ICT sector in the Philippines. It will also be charged with protecting the country's ICT industries against the growing number of security risks inherent to the nature of technology.

"As the numbers of mobile and internet users increase, so do the malicious entities intent on taking advantage of the people's openness to technology. To increase the safety and security of the millions of tech-savvy Filipinos, the government must be proactive in keeping up with the digital revolution sweeping the globe."

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