In its effort to continuously improve its digital infrastructure, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) held a cyber security workshop in Davao Region last October 29 that was aimed at ensuring the agency’s resiliency to potential cyberattacks.
The highly technical activity was a collaboration between the DSWD’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and the Information and Communications Technology Management Service (ICTMS). It’s main objective is to strengthen the protection of sensitive personal information and ensure uninterrupted delivery of social protection services of the agency.
“Investing in technologies is just one piece of the puzzle. Equipping our ICT personnel with the right knowledge to maximize these tools is equally crucial. This workshop brings us one step closer to achieving that synergy,” ICTMS Director Christian Joseph Regunay explained.
The workshop was facilitated by John Niccolo Mojica, an expert in the cyber security domain and one of the instrumental personalities who helped safeguard the digital infrastructure of several significant national events, including the canvassing of the 2022 Presidential elections.
During the workshop, Mojica commended the proactive approach of the DSWD’s ICTMS against cyber threats.
“The landscape of cyberspace is continually evolving. It is commendable to see agencies like DSWD not just adapting but also being proactive in their approach. The challenges are manifold, but with collective effort, the fortifications can be made close to impregnable,” Mojica pointed out.
DSWD’s Davao Regional Director Atty. Vanessa B. Goc-Ong, whose Field Office 11 hosted the workshop, lauded the conduct of the cyber security workshop.
“Cybersecurity is not just a technical domain. It’s the bedrock of the trust of the millions we serve. This workshop is a testament to DSWD’s unwavering commitment to fortifying that trust,” Regional Director Goc-Ong said.
Under the leadership of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the DSWD remains committed to protect its digital realms and, by extension, the trust of its beneficiaries of their private data from unauthorized access, disclosure, and unlawful processing, DSWD Asst. Secretary and CIO Julius Gorospe said.#
