Marcos issues order adopting DICT's national cybersecurity plan

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has ordered the adoption of the Department of Information and Communications Technology's (DICT) National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023-2028 to serve as the country's roadmap in protecting its systems and networks from online threats.

In a news release on Saturday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos issued Executive Order 58, adopting the NCSP 2023-2028 "as part of the administration's efforts to strengthen the security and resilience of the country's cyberspace."

The order stated that building online security and resilience was among the key strategies to ensure safety and protection in cyber and physical spaces under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028.

"The NCSP 2023-2028 is hereby adopted as the whole-of-nation roadmap for the integrated development and strategic direction of the country's cybersecurity," according to EO 58, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on April 4.

Under Section 15 of Republic Act 10844, or the DICT Act of 2015, the department has formulated the NCSP 2023-2028, which outlines the country's policy direction and provides operational guidelines towards a trusted, secured, and resilient cyberspace for every Filipino.

Through EO 58, Marcos directed all concerned national government agencies and instrumentalities and local government units (LGUs) to support and cooperate towards the successful implementation of the NCSP 2023-2028. The DICT, meanwhile, was ordered to adopt a system for the effective implementation, monitoring and review of the plan.

Further, the DICT, in cooperation with the private sector, shall provide technical assistance to other government agencies and offices relative to the implementation of the NCSP 2023-2028, as may be necessary.

The department was also directed to submit to the President a bi-annual report on the status and progress of the implementation of the NCSP 2023-2028 through the Office of the Executive Secretary and the National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee (NCIAC).

The EO 58 will take effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette, or a newspaper of general circulation.

DICT Secretary Ivan Uy earlier said that the NCSP would address the need to develop good policies to ensure a safe cyber landscape for the country, identify cyber assets and infrastructure that need protection, and provide government agencies and sectors with guidelines on how to respond to any cyberattacks or attempts.

Uy added that the plan would incorporate advanced threat assessment so that even before security incidents happen, the government may already obtain information from its international partners.

Another important component of the plan, Uy said, is the capacity-building and upskilling of cybersecurity personnel. — VDV, GMA Integrated News