Invest in technology, cybersecurity experts, govt urged

MANILA, Philippines — An international think-tank and research organization urged the government to prioritize investment in technology and cybersecurity experts to combat the rising wave of online fraud, warning that merely amending the SIM Card Registration Act will not be sufficient.

In a statement, Stratbase ADR Institute said that the failure to enforce and implement laws is at the root of the increasing online criminal activities in the country.

Prof. Dindo Manhit, Stratbase president, cautioned that putting limits on the number of SIM cards one can register, as proposed in Senate deliberations, will not stop cybercriminals who exploit anonymity and technical loopholes to commit fraud.

“This is why we believe that merely amending the SIM Card Registration Act, specifically by putting a cap on the number of SIMs any individual can own and register, is not enough to stop the nefarious activities of these scammers,” Manhit said.

He added that the enhancement of SIM registration laws will ultimately fall short if not paired with improved law enforcement capabilities.

Manhit issued the statement amid rising calls for tougher measures to address cybercrime. Recent data from the Philippine National Police showed that cybercrimes have increased by 21.8 percent in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology acknowledged that scammers have evolved in their methods, using internet-based messaging platforms such as Viber and Messenger, and foreign SIM cards, further complicating the task of tracking and apprehending offenders.

DICT spokesman Assistant Secretary Renato Paraiso highlighted the limitations of focusing solely on SIM card registration as a tool to curb cyber fraud.

“Fraudsters are a threat not only to individuals but also to all business enterprises and government institutions. This problem demands solutions that are deliberate and decisive, and this can be achieved by more effective enforcement rather than by adding to the list of items to enforce,” Paraiso said.

One of the critical concerns raised was the glaring shortage of cybersecurity professionals in the Philippines. The DICT said that there are only around 200 certified Filipino cybersecurity experts, a stark contrast to Singapore’s 2,000. The gap, they said, is largely due to the migration of experts seeking better-paying jobs abroad.

A report by the National Association of Data Protection Officers of the Philippines suggests that the country needs 180,000 cybersecurity professionals to secure its industries and institutions from cyber threats. The discrepancy between the demand for and availability of cybersecurity talent is contributing to the Philippines’ vulnerability to online attacks.

In 2023, the American cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks reported that the Philippines had the highest number of cyberattacks in Southeast Asia, further raising alarm over the country’s capacity to safeguard sensitive information and critical infrastructure.