UK, PH urged to partner
THE British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (BCCP) is calling for a partnership between the United Kingdom and the Philippines in the cybersecurity industry, highlighting the sector’s evolving standards.
BCCP Executive Director Chris Nelson said that the Philippine cybersecurity industry needs strong and critical policies as it can contribute largely to the development of businesses and other organizations.
“I would just emphasize [that] cybersecurity is also a key expertise from the UK. We had a cybersecurity reception here. This is about making continued awareness. We know that these are priority measures of President [Ferdinand] Marcos [Jr.’s] administration, we would like to see those passed.” Nelson said in a statement on Monday.
Nelson said they are collaborating with CyberQ, a UK company with a Philippines affiliate, for discussions on cybersecurity on March 20, 2024.
This initiative aims to showcase various industry opportunities in the Philippines, focusing on enhancing the digital landscape and emphasizing the importance of implementing strong cybersecurity measures and policies to foster a secure workforce and utilize advanced technologies for cyberthreat prevention and protection.
The chamber also highlighted the importance of forging stronger ties with the UK, a key player in cybersecurity.
UK Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils, meanwhile, highlighted economic opportunities in the Philippines and encouraged more business partnerships related to cybersecurity with the UK.
He also said that Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy went to the UK in November to take part in the prime minister’s conference on AI.
“In recognition that again, we need to work with partners on some of the world’s biggest challenges,” Beaufils said.
“We are investing in science and innovation to look at cyberthreats such as [artificial intelligence], and that’s also a key part of our foreign policy,” he added.
Moreover, the British chamber reaffirmed its support for improving the business environment in the Philippines. It added that they are anticipating the approval of the Cybersecurity Act, which will bolster cybersecurity measures in the country.