LCASEAN

The Filipino and ASEAN

Final Output:
CASE STUDY

Submitted by:
BANGALAN, Nimrod
CABANTAC, John Sydney
KHO, Joshua
LOPEZ, Maegan
MAMBA, Jesus
MURIEL, Gabriel
TONGOL, Gabrielle
VILLAS, Raven

Y35

Submitted to:
Mr. Matthew David Ordonez
2022
Introduction

We cannot dispute the significant impact that numerous technological advancements have had on
our daily lives. The life we currently control is a result of technological advancements. Technology has
fundamentally altered our way of life. As the human population increased, we became acutely aware that
almost everything we see today is made possible by technological advancements. Today, everyone has
access to data about how to advance agribusiness, boost food sources, and raise agricultural production,
which benefits everyone's standard of living overall. Despite its benefits, it is very difficult to compare
one technology to another in terms of its effects and impacts, though we can undoubtedly appreciate the
medical advancements that technology is making possible as well as how the world has advanced and the
pace of time. It has become incredibly simple for anyone to stalk someone or learn almost everything
about their personal life, which can occasionally be very unsettling. Today's generation may have taken
the world by storm, but individuals must always be made aware that it is our responsibility to control
technology and never have it work against us.

Security is a major issue that affects all individuals significantly. Through technology of any type,
especially social media, a tremendous amount of information may be disseminated. How one person can
learn so much about another person's life, including highly private details, is horrifying. The ability of
hackers to uncover weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the security systems of companies also develops as
technology does. As a result, the secured data and files are exposed to hackers, posing a serious
cybersecurity risk. However, despite all of these drawbacks, people are still working hard to adapt and
discover methods to maintain a level of security and confidence that vital information in technology,
particularly on the internet shares. Network security techniques frequently used include intrusion
detection systems, data encryption, and antivirus software. And every year, this problem has gotten worse
and more urgent because of how intelligently individuals have developed workarounds for technology.
But at the end of the day, everyone should just be conscious of how crucial it is to exercise caution,
especially about our private information and property.
Background

Cybersecurity is an increasingly important issue in the Association of Southeast Asian

Nations (ASEAN). As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and reliant on technology,
ASEAN countries are increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks and other threats. With the rise of
the Internet of Things (IoT) and the increasing use of cloud computing services, ASEAN
countries are exposed to unprecedented levels of cyber risk. As a result, ASEAN countries have
been taking steps to strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities. ASEAN countries have been
developing regional cybersecurity frameworks to promote cooperation and information sharing
among their members. ASEAN countries have also been collaborating on regional capacity
building efforts to increase the technical capabilities of their citizens.

At the same time, ASEAN countries have been working to increase awareness of
cybersecurity among ASEAN citizens. ASEAN countries have been organizing and promoting
public awareness campaigns, as well as working with industry and academia to develop cyber
education and training programs. In addition, ASEAN countries have been collaborating on
regional cybersecurity initiatives, such as the ASEAN Cybersecurity Initiative (ACI). The ACI is
a multi-stakeholder initiative that seeks to promote awareness, cooperation, and capacity-building
among ASEAN countries on cybersecurity issues. The ACI is a platform for the development of
regional strategies and policies on cybersecurity.

We also have to keep in mind that ASEAN countries are all at different stages of
development when it comes to their approach to cybersecurity. Some countries have adopted
internationally accepted standards such as the ISO/IEC 27001 while others have yet to create a
 comprehensive cybersecurity policy. Without a uniform approach to cybersecurity, it is difficult to
ensure that all ASEAN countries are adequately protected against cyber threats. This lack of
uniformity also makes it more difficult to share information about cyber threats and to collaborate
on effective solutions. In addition, the region is facing an increase in cybercrime activities. The
lack of a unified cybersecurity framework makes it difficult to detect, investigate and prosecute
cybercrimes. Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the lack of uniformity to exploit
vulnerabilities in the ASEAN countries’ networks. This is problematic because cybercrimes can
have far-reaching implications for national security and economic stability.

Furthermore, ASEAN countries are increasingly becoming targets of cyber-attacks from

other nations. Nation-state actors are exploiting the vulnerabilities in the region’s infrastructure
and networks to conduct espionage, sabotage and other malicious activities. This is particularly
alarming since these activities can have a significant impact on the security and stability of the
region. In order to address these issues, ASEAN countries must work together to develop a
unified approach to cybersecurity. This should include the formulation of a comprehensive
cybersecurity policy that emphasizes the need for collaboration and the sharing of information.
Additionally, the policy should focus on the development of better security protocols and the
implementation of effective cybersecurity measures such as encryption and authentication.

In conclusion, the lack of a unified cybersecurity framework is the key problem on cybersecurity
in ASEAN. Without a unified approach, the region is vulnerable to cybercrime and nation-state
attacks. ASEAN countries must work together to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity policy
and the implementation of effective measures to ensure the security of their networks and
infrastructure.

Body

The Philippines is still considered to be the most prevalent country in which most cybercrimes still
happen according to the National Defense College of the Philippines. Over the years of 2017-2021,
cyberthreats have increased. Given that, another challenge the country is facing is the administration’s
insufficient support to ICT-related issues. According to recent research by the cybersecurity company
Sophos, in the Philippines, 69% of the firms it surveyed faced a ransomware assault in 2021. The
Philippines' percentage score of 69% is actually somewhat higher than the global average of 66%, which
is alarming. Additionally, the rate is larger than it was in the past years, with 42% in 2020 and 30% in
2019 (Modgil, 2022). Given the current issue of people receiving anonymous texts with their full names
indicated. Gcash which is one of the Philippines’ leading mobile wallet with over 66 million users. The
company came in contact with the National Privacy Commission to ensure the safety of its users
following the said issue. This was solved through covering up the full name of each user. Mark Frogoso,
chief information security officer of GCash, said. “Protecting the personal information of our customers
remains a top priority which we believe is integral to our vision of achieving Finance for All.”
(Philstar.com, 2022) Much recently, President Bongbong Marcos signed the approval of installing eSIMs
for each user's protection. It aims to easily track any malicious actions committed through mobile phones
and help law enforcement find people responsible for offenses perpetrated via phones by holding SIM
card users accountable. Under the measure, all public telecommunications entities or direct sellers shall
require SIM card buyers to present a valid identification document with a photo. Any information in the
SIM card registration shall be treated as confidential unless the subscriber authorizes access to his
information. (Maralit, 2022)

Not only is the Philippines experiencing these kinds of attacks. It is said that 94% of ASEAN
organizations reported an increase in attacks in 2021. For instance, Malware attacks continue to be the
most disruptive type of cyberattack and a major worry in Malaysia, according to Suk Hua Lim, Palo
Alto's national manager of the country (Kong & Raj, 2022). In the year 2018, hackers had successfully
hacked into SingHealth— Singapore’s leading healthcare organization, which allowed these hackers to
steal the medical records of around 1.5m people including the medical record of their Prime Minister.
(Jacquelyn, Cheok, 2018). Over the years, ASEAN amplified ways to reduce cyber threats and increase
security on the said issue. Malaysia made a strategic planning called the Information and Communications
Technology Strategic Planning; it contained various steps to achieving development in the said field most
especially to the public sector. (Nor Shazwina Mohamed Mizan, et al., 2019) According to Borneo
Bulletin in 2018, The Brunei Computer Emergency Response Team recorded a thousand attacks caused
by malicious software. (Nor Shazwina Mohamed Mizan, et al., 2019)

Similarly, other regions have been using qualitative approaches like the Philippines’ local
initiative which is to strengthen data privacy connection over the Internet from a device to a network.
With the aim of the Political-Security Blueprint to ensure a rules-based, people-oriented, people-centered
community in which its member countries experience and receive freedom and justice as well as peace
and security (ASEAN, 2016, p.2).

Conclusion
BACKGROUND