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Louis Casambre, ICTO Executive Director

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology's Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) on Friday appealed to hacktivists to stop attacking government websites as it admitted that there is a need to upgrade the state's internet security system.

?We understand the concerns of the public and our netizens on several controversial provisions of RA (Republic Act) 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). However there are proper avenues for expressing their indignation rather than committing cybercrime to protest a bill that aims to prevent cybercrime,? ICTO Executive Director Louis Casambre said in a statement.?

A group of hacktivists called Anonymous Philippines has been attacking government websites in protest against the new cybercrime law.

The latest victim of the group was the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines' website. The website was also defaced by the hacktivists' message against the new cybercrime law, but it was immediately restored.

Casambre said that the latest attacks expose the existing vulnerabilities of government websites and underscores the need for a "national cybersecurity plan."

As the ICTO has yet to come up with the plan, it renewed its directive to government system administrators to review their existing internet security measures.

"In the meantime, we would like to request our government systems administrators to review their own policies and utilize industry best practices when it comes to cybersecurity,? Casambre said.

IRR to balance new law

ICTO has been designated as head of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, the main body in charge of inter-agency coordination, monitoring, policy formulation and enforcement of the Cybercrime Prevention Act as well as the development of a national cybersecurity plan.

Along with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the ICTO is also tasked with the formulation of the bill?s implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

Casambre said that they will address at least some of the controversial measures in the development of the IRR. He said they are planning to hold multi-sectoral consultations with various stakeholders to ensure that a balance is struck between protecting individual rights, freedom of expression, and national security in the rules.

Casambre insisted that the country needs a new cybercrime law.

He said that before the passage of the cybercrime bill into law, the ICTO had limited legal tools to address cybercrimes such as identity theft, computer fraud, and hacking. What we also need is a balanced legal regime which addresses both the potentials and perils of the Internet, and the rights of all stakeholders.

"In addressing cybersecurity challenges, our legislators have finally passed a law after a difficult process spanning several Congresses. For us in the executive, we now need to ensure that the IRR will help balance perceived shortcomings while having an implementation framework that is both legally grounded and technically sound. In achieving this balance, we also do respect the rights of netizens and other stakeholders to seek clarifications with the courts on some of the bill?s more controversial provisions,? Casambre said.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=853749&publicationSubCategoryId=200

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