Data from 28 million passports at risk —DFA exec

A Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official on Thursday said the personal data of some 28 million passport holders are at risk of being compromised due to the absence of a cybersecurity system.

"We are really concerned with the security of our more than 28 million passport holders' data," DFA Office of Consular Affairs Assistant Secretary Adelio Cruz said during a Senate finance subcommittee hearing on the DFA's proposed P27.4-billion budget for 2025.

"It is something we really want to protect," he said.

Cruz added that they "are not happy" with the government-owned and -controlled corporation in charge of printing passports.

Sen. Loren Legarda, chairperson of the finance subcommittee, identified the GOCC as "APO," referring to APO Production Unit.

Cruz said the DFA is considering employing a cybersecurity system and is already negotiating with several cybersecurity firms for rates.

"We're are seriously looking into the possibility of employing a cybersecurity system for all our passport data. We're negotiating with several companies, trying to get the best and lowest rate," he said.

Cruz said they would send the Senate committee a report "sometime next week." —KBK, GMA Integrated News