Microsoft, PNP partner to strengthen cybersecurity in the Philippines

Microsoft powers the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group with knowledge and technologies to strengthen anti-cybercrime initiatives

Committed to be a strategic partner of the public and private sectors in creating an impact in the community, Microsoft Philippines is partnering with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group to help the government in addressing cybercrime.

In March 2013, the Philippine National Police activated the Anti-Cybercrime Group or the PNP-ACG. This is in line with the mandate of Chapter IV, Enforcement and Implementation, Section 10 of the Cybercrime Prevent Act. The PNP-ACG will function as the primary group responsible for implementing cybercrime laws and anti-cybercrime campaigns of the PNP and the national government. The PNP-ACG is built to focus on cybercrime-, computer- and other content-related offenses such as cybersex, child pornography, and unsolicited commercial communication among many others.

From 2003 to 2012, the PNP-ACG reported a total of 2,778 cybercrime-related offenses. Believing in the role of technology, the PNP-ACG is certain that partnering with Microsoft will further enable the organization in strengthening its anti-cybercrime efforts.

With the alliance, Microsoft will be providing readiness programs, knowledge, tools, and necessary technologies to assist in combatting cybercrimes.  Microsoft will work closely with PNP-ACG representatives to discuss current requirements, challenges, skills and equipment.  Microsoft will assist the PNP-ACG in developing a readiness program for specific roles within the PNP Cybercrime group.

“Our alliance with the PNP-ACG embodies Microsoft’s commitment to enable the public and private sectors with the necessary skills in addressing the increasing complexities of cybercrime. This is also in line with Microsoft’s commitment to providing a safe secure and trustworthy technological environment” said Raul Cortez, Director for Corporate and Legal Affairs, Microsoft Philippines. “Extensive public and private partnerships are essential to complement security and privacy models and legislative frameworks to adequately protect consumer privacy and security. We must evolve our thinking on how societies can protect the privacy and security of individuals while providing for responsible, beneficial and trustworthy technology to access and use data.”

“Clearly, governments have a role to play in combatting cybercrimes in the country – drafting legislation to help protect privacy, and educating citizens on threats such as ID theft, online fraud, and child safety,” Police Senior Supt. Gilbert Sosa, Director at Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group. “However, we cannot do it alone. We need to forge partnerships with the software industry, the user community, and other government agencies to confront cybercrime rings. With Microsoft as one of our strategic partners, we are further geared to address emerging security and privacy issues in our society. We hope to lessen cybercrime incidences and help neutralize its painful effects to the economy, families, and individual consumers.”

Microsoft puts security at the core of its innovations. Through cutting-edge security practices and years of software and service expertise, Microsoft delivers robust security that can strengthen the IT infrastructure of organizations. These services include Identity and Access Management (enables more secure, identity-based access to applications from virtually anywhere), Data Protection (integrates and extends security of data and systems across the environment while sharing and collaborating with trusted parties), Compliance and Monitoring (understands risk exposure to make informed decisions to mitigate, transfer, or accept risks), and Secure Deployment and Development (offers training, consulting, and tools services designed to help organizations and make security and privacy an integral part of their software development process).

To know more about Microsoft and how it can strengthen the IT system of your organization, visit www.microsoft.com.ph

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