WITH social media being a strong communication tool for many offices, groups, and institutions, it is not surprising that many have put up their respecitive social media pages. However, this comes with some cybersecurity risks.
Around a month ago, the Facebook Page of the Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) was hacked. The perpetrator then proceeded to upload inappropriate content on the newsfeed of the government office.
But this was not only the Facebook page of a government office or institution that was hacked. On social media, netizens noted how some schools and government office page were also hacked, some were flooded with memes while others with inappriate materials.
Around the middle of May, CTTMO was able to regain control of its Facebook page. Dionisio Abude, CTTMO head, said during the press conference on May 8 that the perpetrator may have been a foreigner.
Following the hacking of social media pages, it is important for government offices to ensure that the person handling their social media pages, official email, and other digital accounts observe safe cybersecurity practies.
This means that they have to ensure that those who have access to their accounts have enough knowledge and awareness on cybersecurity measures. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Information Office, or IT deparment of government offices should also have awareness seminars and orientations on cybersecurity for anyone handling social media accounts of offices.
It is good to know that the DICT-Davao is promoting a culture of cybersecurity in the region.
“We just want to inform everybody na aware gyod sila sa ilahang mga ginabuhat (that theyshould be aware of their actions) especially what they are doing online. Technology cannot do it alone. We have to adopt cyrbersecurity in our mindset,” Engr. Albert Gabriel, Information technical officer of DICT-Davao, said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum on Monday, May 29.
By having a culture of cybersecurity, just like having a culture of security, netizens have a basic knowledge if the links they are visiting are dangerous or if accounts have been compromised.
The cyberspace may give us the advantage we need on accessing information and communicating to people. However, it is also risky with some having the malicious intent to harm people and organizations digitally. Therefore, if we have the opportunity to safeguard our digital accounts, let's secure. And the first step in that is having the right knowledge about how things work in the digital world and its risks.