DICT Holds HackforGov 2024 Event to Address Cybersecurity Talent Shortage

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in the Philippines held an event called "HackforGov 2024" on May 3 to address the pressing issue of the lack of cybersecurity experts in both the public and private sectors. DICT Cybersecurity Bureau Director Jose Carlos Reyes highlighted this talent shortage as a major challenge facing organizations in the country.

Why this matters: The shortage of cybersecurity experts poses a significant threat to the security and integrity of digital systems, making it a critical issue that requires immediate attention. If left unaddressed, it could lead to devastating cyberattacks that compromise sensitive information and disrupt essential services.

Reyes emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "Karamihan wala, all honesty, karamihan wala, even private organizations (Most organizations don't have dedicated cybersecurity teams. Even in private organizations)." He noted that most organizations, including those in the private sector, do not have separate cybersecurity teams. Instead, their Management Information Systems (MIS) teams often double as their cybersecurity personnel.

The shortage of cybersecurity experts is not unique to the Philippines, as Reyes pointed out that it is a global issue. The high demand for these professionals has led to intense hiring processes worldwide. In the Philippine context, Reyes cited the non-negotiable base government salary rate as a potential factor contributing to the decline of cybersecurity experts in the country.

The DICT currently requires a total of 3,000 personnel, with 200 specifically needed for its cybersecurity bureau. However, there are only 60 cybersecurity experts currently employed. To address this gap, one of the primary objectives of the HackforGov 2024 event is to build a pool of cybersecurity professionals who can serve both public and private organizations in the Philippines.

Reyes expressed the DICT's openness to welcoming the winners of the previous year's HackforGov event, saying, "And just in case they are interested in joining the government, it's really quite a welcome for us." The HackforGov initiative aims to educate students by providing them with practical exposure to thwarting cyberthreats and equipping them with valuable cybersecurity experiences.

The DICT's HackforGov 2024 event serves as a proactive measure to address the critical shortage of cybersecurity experts in the Philippines. By fostering talent and providing hands-on experience, the initiative seeks to bolster the country'scybersecurity capabilitiesand protect both public and private organizations from the growing threat of cyberattacks.

Key Takeaways

• The Philippines faces a shortage of cybersecurity experts in both public and private sectors.
• This shortage poses a significant threat to digital system security and integrity.
• Most organizations in the Philippines lack dedicated cybersecurity teams, relying on MIS teams instead.
• The DICT aims to build a pool of 3,000 cybersecurity professionals, with 200 needed for its cybersecurity bureau.
• The HackforGov 2024 event seeks to educate students and foster talent to address the cybersecurity expert shortage.