The Philippines and Australia are looking to strengthen the Southeast Asian nation’s cyber defense through a “cyber boot program. ”
The program aims to impart technical skills to improve the Philippines’ awareness of preparing for cyberattacks and online threats and what to do if they do happen.
Professor Helge Janicke of the Australian Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre said, “We are looking at awareness programs and war gaming exercises. It is mainly about organizations and companies understanding better what these threats are and how to respond appropriately.”
This program is a result of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Cyber and Critical Technology Cooperation signed by Manila and Canberra back in February of this year by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Through the MOU, the two countries will collaborate to share information on cyber security and critical infrastructure challenges and build stronger links with various stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and academic institutions.
Based on the current Global Cybersecurity Index, the Philippines is under Tier 2 (T2) or Advancing (score of 85 to 95, out of 100), indicating a strong cybersecurity commitment to coordinated and government-driven actions.
In connection with the government’s cybersecurity commitment, in April 2024, Executive Order No. 58, series of 2024 (EO 58, s.2024), relating to the National Cyber Security Plan 2023-2028, was released.