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G-CSIRT: Cyber Watchdog Launched!
The Task Force for the Security of Critical Infrastructures of the
Cabinet Oversight Committee on Internal Security under Undersecretary
Abraham Purugganan formally launch the
Government - Computer Security Incident Response Team (G-CSIRT) last
August 5, 2004.
It was inaugurated
by Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo at the Criminal Investigation and
Detection Group Headquarters in Camp Crame.
The G-CSIRT will
be the focal point for reporting computer attacks intrusions on
information and communications system. It will also provide a coordinated
support system in response to such incidents.
In line with
President Arroyo’s campaign to protect the nation’s critical
infrastructures against terrorist organizations, the G-CSIRT is launched
in response to the growing threats in Philippine cyberspace. Its
launching marks the beginning of a coordinated and integrated effort to
build the nation’s capabilities in responding top threats in cyberspace.
"Our
increasing interdependence on information and communication technology
(ICT) and the interdependence of critical infrastructures coupled with
the increasing value of information, and the convenience of using ICT to
wage war have increase the risks in Philippine cyberspace,"
explained Purugganan.
The "I Love
You" virus has extensively damage countless computer systems all
over the globe. It has caused US-based telecom giant AT&T an
estimated $10 billion loss in revenues not to mention the losses incurred
by several local companies and firms.
Purugganan
stressed the need in preventing and mitigating electronic crimes particularly
network intrusions and hacking, telecommunication fraud, malicious virus
transmission and other forms of cyber crimes that can affect critical
infrastructures.
The G-CSIRT will
focus on intrusions into information and communication systems of the
twelve key sectors mentioned in the National Critical Infrastructure
Protection Plan (NCIPP) namely: government, food and agriculture,
transportation and communication, water, energy, health, emergency
response services, manufacturing, banking and finance, strategic
commercial centers, and cultural and religious sites and facilities.
One of the key
factors in the success of this campaign to protect the Philippine
cyberspace is the active participation of the private sector, the
business community, the academe and the citizenry in general.
Jointly managed by
the TFSCI and the Philippine National Police (PNP) through the
Anti-Transnational Crime Division (ATCD), it will be supported by other
agencies and the private sector who will
comprise the executive and advisory boards respectively.
Critical
infrastructures, as defined in the NCIPP, are comprised of two
aspects—the physical and the cyber. The G-CSIRT is a manifestation of the
Macapagal-Arroyo government’s effort to address security requirement of
the cyber aspect of critical infrastructures.
The G-CSIRT is one
of the initial programs of the TFSCI that will trigger other programs for
securing the Philippine cyberspace, such as the conduct of vulnerability assessment
and security audits, building databases and capacity-building namely
training and advocacy, to name a few.
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