Marcos tells ASEAN to invest in cybersecurity protection

VIENTIANE, Lao PDR — President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. highlighted here the need to invest in cybersecurity protections to elevate ASEAN's digital economy in the coming years, which will later make the bloc the fourth largest economy in the world.

''With the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) poised to boost our region's digital economy to USD2 trillion by 2030, it is critical that we invest in robust cybersecurity protections, equip our people with digital skills, and build the digital infrastructure necessary to secure ASEAN's path to becoming the fourth largest economy in the world,'' Marcos said in one of his interventions in the ASEAN Summit.

Marcos said ASEAN member-states should continue to deepen their connectivity and fortify resilience ''to ensure that we are prepared for emerging challenges and for future shocks.'' 

According to the Philippine leader, one of the significant catalysts for connectivity in ASEAN is the digital economy.

''We should lay the groundwork for a safe and trusted digital environment that can propel ASEAN into a new era of innovation, growth, and opportunity,'' Marcos said. 

In the Philippines, Marcos already approved the National Cybersecurity Plan for 2024–2028 to provide the country with operational guidelines when it comes to building its cybersecurity posture.

The document provides policy direction as well as operational guidelines on how to build up the country's cybersecurity posture vis-à-vis the rest of the world. —KBK, GMA Integrated News