By: Alan Reyes, Country Manager, Fortinet Philippines
Embracing sustainability has become paramount for both public and private sectors in our modern world. This urgency is driven by the imperative to address environmental issues and protect the planet’s future. Integrating sustainable practices into strategies not only enhances businesses’ reputations but also allows them to meet consumer demands, improve efficiency, and attract and retain talent. Additionally, it aids the government in fortifying the country’s economic resilience and enhancing public well-being.
Amid Philippine organizations’ persistent commitment to sustainability, the Sustainable Development Report 2023, released by the United Nations (UN), unveiled the country’s position at the 98th spot among 166 member states. The nation achieved an Index Score of 67.1, slightly below the regional average of 67.2.
As the Philippines continues its march toward advancing sustainability initiatives, how does cybersecurity play a role in supporting these efforts and contribute to shaping a sustainable future for everyone?
The more interconnected, digital society
The accelerated digitalization across various spheres of our society, hastened by the pandemic, has opened up new avenues for convenient connections with loved ones, streamlined work-related tasks, seamless access to entertainment, effortless shopping, banking transactions, and more. Recognizing the benefits of a more interconnected society, both public and private sectors have expedited their digital transformations, aiming to expand their service offerings to citizens, employees, and customers.
Furthermore, the integration of smart technologies has bolstered sustainability initiatives within organizations. Smart cities, for instance, integrate systems for power supply, water management, traffic control, and other functions to create more efficient and sustainable urban spaces. Smart buildings leverage advanced technology, enhancing functionalities such as access control, heating and cooling, energy conservation, and safety and security systems.
Moreover, smart devices deliver real-time updates and streamline communication, while smart businesses provide personalized customer services, effectively manage inventories, and distribute resources and data closer to access points. Interconnected critical infrastructures respond more adeptly to demands, adapt to changing environments, and reroute essential services, minimizing disruptions in service delivery. Alongside these are developments in smart homes, transportation, e-health services, and various other sectors.
However, this heightened reliance on digital infrastructures spanning energy, water supply, telecommunications, banking, government services, healthcare, and transportation poses significant risks to society in the absence of robust cybersecurity measures.
Cyberattacks targeting these critical infrastructures pose threats to national security, the economy, people’s safety and privacy, and the continuity of businesses. According to a recent report from Secure Connections, an information and communications technology (ICT) advocacy group, organizations managing critical information infrastructure (CII) could face daily losses of PhP6.15 billion if multiple breaches occur simultaneously, with the energy sector being the most vulnerable, facing losses of PhP2.8 billion.
Cybersecurity’s vital role in modern society
In the era of digitization, cybersecurity stands as a crucial guardian, protecting the fundamental pillars of our society. It bolsters national security, preserves digital privacy, ensures individual safety, fortifies business resilience, and fosters trust in the digital realm.
National security
Cyber conflicts, espionage, hacktivism, and cyberterrorism bear considerable consequences for a nation’s security. Ensuring resilience involves safeguarding society against threats posed by hacktivists, nation-states, and cyber attackers. Cybersecurity serves as a pivotal tool in preserving political stability, shielding critical infrastructures, and maintaining economic well-being from these digital threats. Strengthening cybersecurity measures not only upholds human rights but also enhances trust in institutions, fostering a more equitable society.
Digital privacy
Preserving privacy stands as a fundamental human right, yet it grows more complex in the digital era where individuals willingly share data for convenience. While digitalization offers vast potential for innovation and improving lives, it must not come at the expense of digital privacy. The rise of cybercriminals using sophisticated malware to pilfer private and sensitive data, including governmental and financial records, amplifies this concern. Implementing cybersecurity measures empowers organizations to provide individuals with the advantages of technological advancements and conveniences without compromising their privacy.
Individuals’ welfare
The smooth functioning of our society hinges on various industries operating seamlessly each day. These encompass transportation, food and medicine, water, energy, and more, all interlinked with our digital infrastructure. Any disruption to the crucial systems of these infrastructures due to cyberattacks can jeopardize people’s lives.
Business resiliency
Cyberattacks pose substantial threats to businesses, affecting financial stability, reputation, and customer trust. Consequently, organizations must enforce comprehensive oversight, protocols, and cybersecurity guidelines. Robust cybersecurity measures enable businesses to bolster resilience and guarantee long-term sustainability.
Digital trust
Trust stands as a cornerstone in every transaction, whether in online purchases, diplomatic relations, or various interactions. However, in the era of advancing digital technology, trust faces increasing vulnerability due to cyberattacks like phishing, where malicious actors impersonate trusted entities to spread malware, or through sophisticated deepfake content. To combat these threats, organizations must prioritize educating diverse groups, including children, parents, educators, and the workforce, to heighten awareness about these risks.
In our transition to a digitalized world, where nearly all crucial infrastructure and services interconnect through the internet, cybersecurity emerges as a vital element in ensuring the present and future sustainability of our society. Similar to pressing global issues such as climate change, gender equality, diversity, and business ethics, cybersecurity demands integration into the sustainability strategies of every company. Each organization must establish requisite measures, protocols, and governance frameworks to uphold the security, reliability, and sustainability of the digital landscape we rely upon.
