NLRC DICT Conduct Cybersecurity Awareness Training to Promote Cyber Vigilance and Digital Resilience
Quezon City — In a bid to strengthen digital resilience and promote cyber vigilance across the public sector, the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), conducted a hybrid Cybersecurity Awareness Training on April 14, 2025. The initiative aimed to deepen awareness of cybersecurity threats in the workplace and foster a culture of shared responsibility among NLRC personnel nationwide.
Commissioner Gavino R. Meneses, Jr. of the NLRC Sixth Division, who also serves as Chairperson of the NLRC-Computer Emergency Response Team (NLRC-CERT), opened the event with a call for personnel to proactively strengthen their cyber-defense capabilities. He highlighted the importance of preparedness amid the growing challenges of the digital age and emphasized the shared responsibility in protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and security of public information and records.
The session featured key experts from the DICT-Cybersecurity Bureau. Marc Lester R. Bote, Planning Officer, provided an overview of the National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023–2028, a strategic roadmap guiding government agencies in implementing coordinated cybersecurity efforts. He discussed the NCSP’s desired outcomes, its comprehensive framework, and strategies for realizing a “Trusted, Secure, Reliable Cyberspace for Every Filipino.” Mr. Bote also shared recent developments, including proposed cybersecurity legislation, new policy issuances, and the Bureau’s latest achievements.
Engr. Ramon Christopher Hernandez, Engineer II of the Cybersecurity Bureau, gave an in-depth briefing on the Philippines’ current cyber threat landscape. He identified common cyber threats, discussed red flags that employees should be alert to, and shared best practices to mitigate risks. He also presented Project SONAR (Secure Online Network Assessment and Response System), a DICT initiative designed to detect vulnerabilities in government ICT systems and respond to potential threats. Engr. Hernandez emphasized that cybersecurity is a collective responsibility, stating that every employee plays a vital role in protecting organizational assets.
Further, Engr. Hernandez led a technical session on Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Essentials, where he explained the seven foundational steps to establishing a CERT. He detailed its vital role in managing computer-related incidents and promoting organizational cyber hygiene. He also highlighted the importance of the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP), a standardized system used to classify and control the sharing of sensitive information.
The NLRC’s own CERT was formally constituted on December 18, 2024, pursuant to Administrative Order No. 12-05, Series of 2024, and is led by Commissioner Meneses, Jr., with technical support from Mr. Christian Ericson B. Soriano, Head of the Data Center, and participation from 16 Executive Labor Arbiters of the Regional Arbitration Branches.
As part of the program, Jennifer B. Canlas, Information Technology Officer of the DICT-Cybersecurity Bureau, discussed the Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI) and its core components—cryptography and digital certificates. She emphasized that PKI enables trusted online transactions by ensuring authentication, confidentiality, integrity, and non-repudiation. Ms. Canlas highlighted the benefits of using digital certificates, such as enhanced security for email communications and streamlined government processes. She also conducted a live demonstration on digitally signing documents using certificates issued by the DICT through applications like Adobe Reader and Foxit Reader.
In her closing remarks, NLRC Chairperson Grace E. Maniquiz-Tan conveyed her gratitude to the DICT for its continued support and expertise. She emphasized that cybersecurity extends beyond IT concerns, describing it as a shared responsibility, and encouraged all personnel to stay vigilant and well-informed while navigating the evolving digital landscape.
The Cybersecurity Awareness Training forms part of the NLRC’s broader efforts to institutionalize digital governance, supported by the recently issued E-mail and ICT Use Policies. These initiatives demonstrate the Commission’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of cyber responsibility and safeguarding its digital infrastructure.