PNP links with Microsoft vs cyber-crimes

MANILA, Philippines - Acknowledging the use of technology as a tool to commit crimes, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has partnered with one of the leading software, services and solutions firms, Microsoft Philippines Inc., to combat such threats.

Officials of the PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with representatives of Microsoft for the capacity-building of government law enforcement units in going after cyber-criminals.

PNP-ACG director Police Senior Superintendent Gilbert Sosa said Microsoft's help would be a big boost to the fight against online crimes.

"Yung access natin sa technology ng Microsoft, malaking tulong sa atin yan, Dine-develop nila yung capacity-building ng ACG in terms of training. Maybe may mga equipment na ibibigay sa atin. So malaking tulong sa ating kampanya laban sa cybercrime itong MOU na ito," Sosa said.

Sosa said the move of Microsoft to partner with the PNP is in line with its corporate social responsibility to have a secure technological environment.

"Ito yung tinututukan natin ngayon ay yung private-public partnership at advocacy nila yan. HIndi lang sa Pilipinas pero it's a worldwide advocacy. Kasi sinasabi nga natin yung cybercrime eh borderless crime yan. Walang pinipiling lugar yan," he added.

From 2003 to 2012, the PNP has recorded more than 2,700 cybercrime related cases, involving child pornography, the so-called "sextortion", credit card and ATM (automated teller machine) cards, email spoofing and email account thefts.

Sosa noted that cybercrimes have been continuously evolving to avoid being detected by anti-viruses.

"Araw-araw, there are thousands of viruses and malwares (malicious softwares) na kine-create eh.So yan ang bagong weapon ngayon, yung paggamit ng malware to steal information and data from the victims.

"We are trying our best to address that problem. Our forensic and ating cyber security division natin are updating our computers para magkaroon tayo ng malware laboratory. Iyon ang isang project natin eh kaya kami nakipag tie up dito," he added.

Raul Cortez, legal and corporate affairs director at Microsoft Philippines Inc., said there is a need to educate the public about to be very wary of the programs they download or install on their devices.

"Extensive public and private partnerships are essential to complement security and privacy models and legislative frameworks to adequately protect consumer privacy and security. We must evolve our thinking on how societies can protect the privacy and secuirty of individuals by providing for responsible, beneficial, and trustworthy technology to access and use data," Cortez said.