Sen. Mary Grace Poe and Sen. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros have urgently appealed to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and related agencies to halt the escalating “hacking spree” targeting government websites.
Recent victims include the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and the House of Representatives (HoR).
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Senator Poe emphasized that this issue jeopardizes not only crucial government records but also sensitive data that could compromise the country’s security.
Data breaches put individuals’ personal information at risk and can lead to hacking or unwanted exposures. She stressed the necessity for robust cybersecurity infrastructure investments to safeguard public records and urged for accountability for those responsible.
Senator Hontiveros called for an investigation into the troubling series of hacking and data breach incidents. She highlighted the importance of assessing existing cybersecurity measures and preparedness for malicious attacks within the government.
The recent cyber attack on Philhealth using Medusa ransomware, compromising massive amounts of personal and sensitive information of Filipinos, was a concerning example.
READ: 730GB of PhilHealth Data Leaked, NPC Initiates Investigation
The breach of personal and sensitive information by government agencies poses a threat to the safety and security of all Filipinos, making them more susceptible to various cybercrimes.
The Philippine National Police-Anti Cybercrime Group reported a significant number of cybercrime cases in the first quarter of 2023, underlining the urgency of addressing this issue.
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