CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in Calabarzon is rolling out a series of learning sessions this month aimed at promoting election cybersecurity, online safety, and scam prevention.
According to DICT IV-A, these learning sessions are designed to create a secure and digitally empowered society, especially as cyber threats become more advanced and increasingly target vulnerable individuals.
“With the digital landscape constantly evolving, it is crucial to equip individuals, organizations, and communities with the right knowledge to protect themselves from cyber threats. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, our collective vigilance and knowledge remain the strongest defense,” the agency stated.
Kicking off the series of discussions, DICT IV-A held an online session titled CALABARZON Cyber Talks: Gabay Para sa Digital na Kampanyahan sa Halalan 2025 on February 11. Key resource persons from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) IV-A highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in digital campaigning, addressing critical issues such as misinformation, data privacy, and responsible online election practices.
The session emphasized the role of political candidates, campaign teams, and voters in ensuring ethical and secure digital election engagements. DICT IV-A also underscored the growing threat of cyberattacks on election-related digital platforms, urging stakeholders to adopt best practices in securing their online accounts and verifying election-related information before sharing it.
Other sessions lined up this month include the Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign at Lyceum of Southern Luzon, which aims to educate students on the evolving cyber threats and equip them with essential skills to protect their personal and institutional data.
Citing that young individuals, as active digital users, are primary targets of cybercriminals, DICT IV-A emphasized that the cybersecurity campaign will serve as an eye-opener for students, encouraging them to be vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their online presence.
In time for Valentine’s Day, DICT will also host Cyber-Safe Love: Protecting Yourself from Online Scams & Digital Threats, an interactive session aimed at raising awareness about the hidden dangers lurking in online interactions.
DICT IV-A said the session will discuss prevalent cyber crimes such as romance scams, phishing, identity theft, and financial fraud, equipping participants with practical strategies to detect and avoid these threats.
Through these learning sessions, DICT IV-A affirmed its commitment to strengthening cybersecurity awareness and advocating for a digitally-resilient community, ensuring that individuals, organizations, and institutions remain protected in an increasingly digital world. (FC, PIA4A)
