Cybersecurity Tips: How To Prevent Cyberattacks Against Government Offices

November 12, 2024

Introduction

Malware attacks, password attacks, hacking incidents, and other digital security threats can put government offices in peril. These threats compromise sensitive information and disrupt essential services. If not properly taken care of, they can cause significant damage not just to public offices and government departments but also to the entire citizenry.

For this reason, cybersecurity has become a top priority for government agencies, especially in today’s interconnected world. Public offices, after all, are responsible for protecting critical data infrastructures that may contain the personal information of thousands or even millions of citizens.

In this article, we will discuss the importance of ramping up cybersecurity measures. We will also explore how third-party IT companies can help government offices protect sensitive data and information. Learn more by reading through the rest of the page.

Well-Known Government Cyberattacks in the Philippines

Over the years, numerous cybersecurity incidents have happened to public offices in the country. Here are a few of the most recent and notable ones:

PhilHealth Hacking Incident

Personal data and information of millions of Filipinos were leaked after a ransomware attack on the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). The cybercriminals, who claimed to be part of the Medusa Group, demanded US$300,000 from the government in exchange for giving back access to the stolen data.

It was later discovered that PhilHealth had no cybersecurity protection at that time. And since they did not pay the ransom, the data was believed to be leaked to different channels, including Telegram groups.

COMELeak

Two months before the national polls in 2016, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) website was hacked. Personal data and information (including names, addresses, and birthdays) of about 55 million registered voters were compromised in the infamous incident, which is now called “COMELeak.”

Apparently, the cyberattackers' goal was not to release or sell the data. Instead, they want to shed light on the vulnerabilities of COMELEC’s systems and the possibility of electoral fraud.

LGU Website Attacks

Over the years, the websites of LGUs have been vulnerable to threats and hacking incidents from individuals and other cybercriminal groups. The motives for the attacks vary, like stealing citizens' personal information. This data can either be sold to other organized crime groups or used as a way to demand money from the government.

In other cases, cyberattacks are done to cause damage. Hackers may leave a message that exposes the vulnerabilities of the websites of LGUs and other government institutions in the Philippines.

Boosting Cybersecurity Measures of Government Offices

Government offices can take several steps to prevent cyberattacks and protect sensitive information effectively. When you speak with experts from IT companies that offer services that affect the public sector, they will likely suggest the following measures:

Prioritizing Cybersecurity

Prioritizing cybersecurity is essential for government agencies. One of the first steps they can take is developing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that outlines the protocols, policies, and technologies needed to protect the organization's digital assets.

Another crucial measure is regularly reviewing and updating the cybersecurity strategy to address emerging threats. If an in-house team cannot do this, the agency can seek help from IT companies that specialize in helping government offices. This is an effective way to properly demonstrate the organization's commitment to protecting its citizens' personal data and information.

Providing Enough Cybersecurity Training

Now more than ever, IT training becomes more important for offices that render public services. The sessions can cover essential cybersecurity-related topics, including:

Phishing Awareness – A common tactic used by cybercriminals, phishingis done to obtain sensitive information, such as people’s financial information or login credentials, by deceiving individuals into clicking on malicious links or opening malware-laden attachments. Proper training is needed for employees to determine phishing attempts and avoid falling victim to them.
Safe Browsing Practices– Government workers should also be well-versed regarding safe browsing practices. Proper training helps prevent employees from visiting malicious websites and possibly downloading malware.
Password Security– Employees should know the best practices for creating strong passwords (like avoiding guessable passwords and using a string of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters). They should also be encouraged to use unique passwords for different accounts and change them occasionally.

Enlisting Third-Party Assistance

Enlisting third-party assistance is another crucial aspect of strengthening a government organization's cybersecurity posture. Public offices can seek help from private institutions and IT companies that specialize in providing services to government agencies. When doing so, it is crucial to find trusted IT firms that have the following characteristics:

Technical Expertise– The third-party company you should hire must have a team of highly skilled professionals. Each of them should have in-depth knowledge and experience in cybersecurity and other areas of information technology.
Years of Experience– You should only partner with a company with many years of professional experience. Doing so helps you determine if they did a great job when they previously worked with other public institutions and government agencies.
Collaboration Skills– If you have an in-house IT department, be sure that the third-party company you will hire has the proper tools and experience with collaboration. Both teams should work hand-in-hand to protect your digital assets.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is essential in any organization, government offices included. These public agencies handle vast amounts of sensitive data and critical infrastructure, such as information about the citizens, government plans, and financial transaction records. Preventing breaches and leakage of such information is crucial in maintaining public trust, protecting citizen privacy, and safeguarding national security.

Indeed, cyber threats can come from various sources, including individual hackers and organized crime groups. This is why government offices must prioritize cybersecurity by implementing robust security measures and providing cybersecurity awareness training sessions to their workers. Government agencies can also enlist the help of third-party IT companies as necessary.

InfoBahn Communications, Inc. is here to provide excellent IT solutions to local and national government offices. For more information about our services, feel free to contact our team. We will be more than happy to work with you to implement better cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive government data.