House Secretary General Admits House of Representatives Has Poor Cybersecurity Protection
In a surprising revelation, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco admitted to reporters on Monday that the House of Representatives’ cybersecurity measures were comparable to that of a “shanty”. This admission came after the House’s website was compromised by external forces on Sunday, leading to its defacement.
In response to the incident, the House sought assistance from various agencies, including the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Velasco explained that the DICT recommended updating the cybersecurity license, supplies, and equipment to enhance the House’s protection against future attacks.
Velasco emphasized the urgency of improving the House’s cybersecurity, stating, “Somebody described it to me like this, our cybersecurity measures are like a shanty compared to other agencies that have homes in the Corinthians.” He highlighted the need for better equipment and personnel, saying that the House lacked both, making them vulnerable to serious hacking attempts.
The Secretary General acknowledged that Sunday’s incident could have been a test run for more serious attacks. “This might just be a test, testing our vulnerability. So we told our IT group to prepare for the worst-case scenario where our entire system is not just hacked but immobilized, similar to what has happened to other agencies in the United States,” Velasco said.
As the House of Representatives takes steps to address its cybersecurity weaknesses, it remains clear that immediate action and investment in proper equipment and personnel are crucial to protect sensitive information and maintain public trust.
