MANILA – The Philippines has made an impressive leap in the 2024 United Nations Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), moving up to 53rd from 61st in 2020, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) announced on Sunday.
“This remarkable achievement shows the country’s significant progress in securing its cyberspace, bringing it closer to becoming a global leader in cybersecurity,” the DICT said in a news release.
The report, released Sept. 12, reveals the Philippines’ cybersecurity score rose to 93.49 points from 77 points in 2020, putting the Philippines just 1.51 points away from joining Tier 1, which includes the world’s best in cybersecurity laws, technology, organizations, training, and international cooperation.
The Philippines’ jump from Tier 3 (Evolving) to Tier 2 (Advancing) highlights marked improvements in key areas like providing technical skills, collaborating with other countries, organizing cybersecurity efforts, and building capacity to fight cyber threats.
The GCI introduced the five-tier level system this year.
“This is a huge achievement for the Philippines. It shows that our hard work to protect Filipinos online is bearing fruit, but we are not stopping here. We are on the brink of being a global leader in cybersecurity and we will continue working to safeguard our digital world,” DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said in a statement.
Much of the progress can be attributed to the government's focus on strengthening cybersecurity through the National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023-2028, which was formulated by the DICT.
In April, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 58 mandating all government agencies to adopt the NCSP 2023-2028, ensuring that the country is better protected against cyberattacks and online threats.
With this momentum, the Philippines is on track to become a global cybersecurity leader, ensuring a safe and secure online environment for every Filipino. (PR)
