Philippines, US team up vs cybersecurity threats

MANILA, Philippines — Representatives of various law enforcement agencies led by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are now working with fellow experts from the United States to boost mutual capability in addressing and countering cybersecurity threats.

The US embassy in Manila’s Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) recently gathered Filipino and American security and justice sector representatives to exchange their best practices and share knowledge on dealing with cybersecurity issues such as investigating the criminal use of cryptocurrencies and responding to computer and network intrusion.

“We all have a clear interest in strengthening norms that mitigate cyber threats and enhance stability in cyberspace,” INL director Kelia Cummins said at the inaugural Law Enforcement Cybersecurity Awareness Month Roundtable Meeting and Networking Event last Oct. 13 at the US embassy.

Eight officials from the NBI, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – all of whom graduated from the INL-supported International Law Enforcement Academy in Bangkok – participated in the roundtable event to mark the US National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

All the participants committed to closer interagency collaboration to enhance the capacity of law enforcement personnel amid the increasingly advanced tools and technology used by cyber criminals.?

The US embassy said officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and National Police Commission also attended the activity for the Philippine side, while representatives from the US Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training, Federal Bureau of Investigation and US Foreign Commercial Service were present as observers and advisory subject matter experts.

The roundtable participants agreed to reconvene in six months to assess progress on each agency’s cyber-related goals and to support open lines of communication across agencies as the DOJ shared plans to further develop its information-sharing network to facilitate interagency cooperation.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in the United States is a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise awareness about digital security, highlight the importance of cybersecurity in national security and empower individuals with the tools they need to stay safe online domestically and internationally.

The US embassy said it is also an occasion to call on stakeholders to take action in protecting individuals and enterprises against cyber threats and working with global partners to hold cybercriminals accountable.?

Globally, the INL promotes proactive action against cybercriminals through international law enforcement cooperation and bilateral, regional and global capacity-building, technical assistance and training to adapt to the transnational and constantly changing landscape of cybercrime.

The US embassy said the INL also supports the development of legal and institutional frameworks and relationships that enable diplomatic and law enforcement collaboration across borders.