MANILA, Philippines– Sa ikalawang pagkakataon ay muling isinara ng Kamara ang official website nito matapos ma-monitor ang mga kahina-hinala at kakaibang aktibidad.
Kinumpirma ito ni House Secretary-General Reginald “Reggie” Velasco sa pagsasabing, “We regret to inform the public that the official website of the House of Representatives has been voluntarily taken offline once again. Despite our recent security enhancements, we have detected suspicious and unusual activities that necessitate further scrutiny.”
Sa ganitong paraan aniya ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataon ang Kamara ma-double check at maikasa ang cybersecurity na kinakailangan.
“This action has been taken as a precautionary measure to double-check and reinforce the cybersecurity measures we have undertaken, ensuring no vulnerabilities remain. Our primary concern is to guarantee the safety, integrity, and reliability of our digital platform for the citizens we serve,” ayon kay Velasco.
Ito na ang ikalawang pagkakataon na inilagay sa offline ang opisyal na website ng Kamara matapos itong ma-hack noong nakaraang linggo.
“We understand the inconvenience this might cause and appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as we work diligently to address these concerns. Our commitment to transparency and open communication remains unwavering, and we will provide updates as soon as we have more information.”
Samantala, sinang-ayunan naman ni Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Elizalde Co, chairman ng House Committee on Appropriations ang mabilisan at agarang pagpopondo sa information technology security laban sa ransomware attack.
Aniya, makikipagtulungan ang Kamara sa Senado upang mapondohan ang Department of Information and Communication Technology na siyang magagamit upang labanan ang cybercrime at ransomware attacks.
“For the continuing ransomware attacks, we convey to the Department of Budget and Management the urgent need for additional funds for the DICT and for government agencies being attacked and vulnerable to cyberattacks. Perhaps the additional resources can come from the Unprogrammed Funds of the 2023 national budget,” ani Co.
Samantala iminungkahi naman ni Bohol (Third District) Rep. Alexie Tutor na hindi masamang humingi ng tulong sa mga eksperto mula sa Interpol upang mapalakas ang pagsugpo sa hacking sa bansa lalo na sa mga pangunahing ahensya ng gobyerno.
“It may be necessary to bring in experts from Interpol, our ASEAN neighbors, and maybe from the United States and Japan, in addition to those among the country’s 200 certified cybersecurity specialists. (The) DOJ and DICT would have to make the decision on that. It would be their judgment call and prerogative. Our country does have international bilateral and multilateral anti-crime agreements and arrangements that could be activated,” giit pa ni Tutor.
Maaari din aniyang konsultahin ng DICT ang Department of Finance ukol sa alokasyon dahil ang World Bank aniya kamakailan lamang ay nag-apruba ng $600 milyong pautang para sa Pilipinas upang gamitin sa “digital and information technology.”
“It does not look like the hacking into the House website is the handiwork of the sample people who hacked PhilHealth. But the level of the hacking skills used would be closer to those who hacked the DOST and the PNP. It would only be a matter of time before the perpetrators of these IT system intrusions are traced and identified. As to arrest and prosecution, the House will have to confer with the DOJ on that. Troubling, though, is the revelation of the DICT that they have been investigating about 3,000 reports,” dagdag pa ng mambabatas. Meliza Maluntag
