MOU to safeguard tech and telecom infrastructure signed

MANILA, Philippines —  A memorandum of understanding for PROTECTA Pilipinas, which will safeguard technology and telecommunications infrastructure across the country, has been signed by PLDT Inc., its wireless unit Smart Communication Inc. and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.

PROTECTA Pilipinas lists as its objectives the promotion of resilience of telecom networks, including redundancy, disaster recovery plans and cybersecurity protocols to prevent disruptions.

It also proposes to collaborate closely with government bodies responsible for telecom regulation and infrastructure management, including initiatives on policies, regulations and enforcement mechanisms to protect telecom assets; and with telecom operators, equipment manufacturers and service providers to encourage best practices, information sharing and joint efforts to secure infrastructure.

Specific to physical infrastructure, PROTECTA Pilipinas also hopes to establish monitoring systems to track the health and performance of telecom facilities, as regular assessments can identify vulnerabilities, maintenance needs and potential risks.

The alliance also aims to encourage timely reporting mechanisms for suspicious activities or threats to telecom infrastructure, to ensure swift action by relevant authorities.

On the policy side, PROTECTA Pilipinas looks to advocate for legal frameworks that explicitly protect telecom infrastructure from vandalism, theft and sabotage, including penalties for offenders.