The recent reports regarding a data breach regarding information from the National Bureau of Investigation(NBI), Civil Service Commission (CSC), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) have been put to rest.
However, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has requested more time to investigate its systems to make sure no breach was made.
Privacy Commissioner John Henry Naga issued a directive ordering the Complaints and Investigation Division of this Commission to conduct an onsite investigation on the PNP’s concerned data processing system on April 23, 2023, in order to further examine this subject.
Data Breach?
Representatives from NBI, CSC, and BIR, according to Naga, said that after doing their own investigations and vulnerability checks, had found no evidence of data breaches on their end. Public statements from each of these agencies have been made available.
Moreover, Jeremiah Fowler, a cybersecurity expert who wrote an essay about this issue, was also required by the NPC to testify before the Commission on Friday, April 21, in order to assist the Commission’s inquiry.
“The recent allegations of a data breach involving law enforcement agencies in the country should serve as a reminder that no organization, not even the government, is immune to the threat of cyberattacks. And that we should remain in constant vigilance in protecting personal data. It is not enough to simply comply with existing regulations and standards; we must also proactively identify and address potential vulnerabilities. Even as our probe is underway, the NPC strongly demands of these government agencies, such as the PNP, to strictly comply with the Data Privacy.” said Naga.
The commissioner emphasized that because people are forced to provide their personal information to government authorities, they must exercise more caution.
The NPC anticipates that government organizations will secure and safeguard submitted personal data at a level comparable to that of the private sector in their workplaces.
Started his freelancing adventure in 2018 and began doing freelance Audio Engineering work and then started freelance writing a few years later.
Currently he writes for Gadget Pilipinas and Grit.PH.
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