U.S. embassy prioritizes PH cybersecurity amid economic ties
CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — The United States Embassy in Manila underlined the “priority” of Philippine cybersecurity due to the substantial economic connection between the two nations.
Press Attaché Kanishka Gangopadhyay revealed that the Philippine IT-BPO industry is responsible for processing about 90% of all financial transactions through Wall Street, making it a potential target for cyberattacks.
In a media seminar hosted by the U.S. Embassy, Gangopadhyay emphasized the close-knit relationship between the economic security of both countries.
“If you want a cyberattack on the United States, all you have to do is attack the Philippines… This is a national security priority for us. It’s dangerous ground,” he added.
U.S. Embassy Economic Officer Saptarshi Basu urged the Philippines to adopt a diversified digital infrastructure with trusted vendors, allowing no single vendor to dominate a company’s equipment.
He expressed confidence in the data security capabilities of American, Japanese, and other companies.
Meanwhile, Jon Avila, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Senior Economic Growth Specialist, highlighted the role of the U.S.-supported Asia Open Radio Access Network (open RAN) Academy.
The academy is championing open, interoperable networks to enhance security against cyberattacks and improve cost efficiency. He announced plans for a physical laboratory in Manila to serve the entire Asia and Pacific region, supporting the ongoing efforts to fortify Philippine information and communications technology infrastructure.
