THE coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic necessitated an unprecedented shift to online work and services in the Philippines and around the world. This demonstrated the potential for technology to support our way of life, but has increased our vulnerability to malicious behavior online.
As we strive to recover from this health crisis, we are witnessing ever more cyberattacks on individuals, governments, businesses and research institutions. Understanding the risks of our online and interconnected lives has never been more important.
To this end, the Australian Embassy, in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), recently hosted the “Cybersecurity in a Covid-19 Era” webinar, which brought together Australian and Filipino perspectives on cybersecurity challenges, and ways to address them. Almost 300 participants from across government, businesses and academia attended. The webinar was part of the Australian Embassy’s commemoration of our 75th anniversary of bilateral relations with the Philippines.
Along with our Asean partners such as the Philippines, Australia has a vision for a secure, free and prosperous Indo-Pacific. To advance that vision, in April 2021 the Australian government launched its International Cyber and Critical Technology Engagement Strategy, reflecting the importance of international cooperation in ensuring that cyberspace and critical technology contribute to our Indo-Pacific goals.
The strategy identifies critical technology as having the potential to significantly enhance or pose risks to Australia’s national interests, including prosperity, social cohesion or national security. Critical technology—including artificial intelligence, 5G and the Internet of Things—is increasingly part of our everyday lives.
I know our friends at DICT are currently mapping out the Philippines’s cybersecurity strategy for the coming years, and I wish them well in this endeavor. Australia is pleased to cooperate with DICT, the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs, along with many other Philippine government agencies, on cybersecurity, combating cybercrimes and promoting international security in cyberspace.
Cyber cooperation is a relatively new aspect of our bilateral cooperation, but an increasingly important one. Which brings me back to the Australian Embassy’s recent cyber webinar. This provided an opportunity for Australia’s Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology Tobias Feakin, along with representatives from DICT, PLDT Group and Australian academia, to share their perspectives.
Feakin discussed three pillars of Australian engagement to increase cyber resilience, while maximizing opportunities:
Values—Australia will always pursue a values-based approach to cyberspace and critical technology, while opposing efforts to use technology to undermine those values.
Security—Australia will always support international peace and stability, as well as secure, trusted and resilient technology.
Prosperity—Australia will always advocate for cyber space and technology to foster sustainable economic growth and development to enhance prosperity.
More broadly, the panelists discussed increasing cyber threats to organizations and individuals, dealing with human mistakes as a key aspect of cyberattacks, as well as the need for businesses to invest in protecting business systems and customers. The speakers agreed that cybersecurity requires a national approach, cognizant of the needs of government, businesses and individuals, with strong emphasis on education and nurturing a culture of cybersecurity.
While I am sure the webinar provided attendees with much food for thought in their approach to cyber security in their homes and organizations, clearly there is much more to discuss. I am deeply encouraged by the widespread interest in this new area of cooperation between our two countries, which directly supports and protects Australian and Filipinos alike.