PROTECTA PILIPINAS. The signing of a memorandum of understanding for the Protect Technology-Telecom Alliance (PROTECTA) Pilipinas in Taguig City on Thursday (Sept. 12, 2024). The public-private alliance seeks to improve the resilience of the country's telecommunications network against disasters and cyberattacks. (Photo courtesy of PLDT-Smart)
MANILA – The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) and telecommunications firm PLDT-Smart are leading a public-private collaboration to improve the resiliency of the sector against disasters and cyberattacks.
In a statement Friday, Smart vice president Roy Ibay announced the formation of the Protect Technology-Telecom Alliance (PROTECTA) Pilipinas, a movement that seeks to safeguard technology and telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
“[This is] to help ensure that connectivity services will always be available to our countrymen, given their critical role in emergency response, national security, economic growth and daily life,” Ibay said.
PROTECTA Pilipinas was formally launched by signing a memorandum of understanding in Taguig City on Thursday.
The memorandum was signed by CICC, PLDT-Smart, the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines, public policy think-tank Infrawatch PH, Federation of International Cable TV Association of the Philippines (FICTAP) and Meralco.
“This endeavor is proof that the government cares for the industry. These efforts will ensure that our critical infrastructure for communications is given proper attention in terms of security and integrity,” Ibay said.
PROTECTA Pilipinas, he said, seeks to promote resilience, or to identify and advocate for measures that would enhance the resilience of the country’s telecommunications (telecom) networks.
This includes redundancy, disaster recovery plans, and cybersecurity protocols.
The alliance proposed a collaboration with government bodies responsible for telecom regulation and infrastructure management to protect telecom assets.
It also encourages best practices, information sharing, and joint efforts to secure infrastructure among telecom operators, equipment manufacturers, and service providers. (PNA)
