The fast-changing digital ecosystem, coupled with the widespread adoption of emerging technologies in the last decade, has unlocked a fresh spectrum of economic opportunities, convenience, and breakthroughs for Filipinos. Effectively sustaining the expansion of the Philippine digital economy demands the cultivation of a secured cyber space where both businesses and consumers are protected from threats and attacks of malicious actors. While a number of new laws have already been enacted in recent years to strengthen the protection of citizens in the digital space, rapid advancement of emerging technologies and their adoption in malicious acts likewise entails the enactment of a dynamic and responsive framework to bolster consumer protection, mitigate threats and vulnerabilities, and ensure resiliency of the country’s overall digital ecosystem.
This paper aims to contribute to advancing a comprehensive institutional framework to enhance security and resiliency of the Philippine digital landscape. It discusses a conceptual model of understanding cybersecurity in the digital ecosystem, with a brief discussion on the threats and vulnerabilities in the cyberspace. It also summarizes the available policy safeguards and key government entities that protect the rights of Filipino netizens within the virtual environment. Finally, the paper will delve into the proposed institutionalization of a national cybersecurity act that ensures security and resilience of the Philippine digital space through proactive threat mitigation, clear and responsive regulations, and digitally-literate citizenry.