Tagkawayan businesses fortify against cyber threats with training

By Rowena T. Cruz Tagkawayan entrepreneurs and organization representatives attend the PCCI Cyber-Hygiene Training on October 11, learning v...

By Rowena T. Cruz

Tagkawayan entrepreneurs and organization representatives attend the PCCI Cyber-Hygiene Training on October 11, learning vital digital security practices to protect their small and medium-sized enterprises from rising cyber threats. (Tagkawayan Teleradyo)

TAGKAWAYAN, Quezon - Tagkawayan businesses are fortifying their digital defenses after local entrepreneurs and organization representatives completed a PCCI-led Cyber-Hygiene Training on October 11. The program directly addressed the rising vulnerability facing small and medium-sized local enterprises, a necessary action given that the average cost of a data breach can bankrupt many local firms.

Instruction covered cyber-hygiene, defining it as the essential practices necessary to secure a system or network. These daily digital habits—much like personal health routines—are vital for reducing risk and serving as the first line of defense against malware, phishing, and data breaches.



According to Rey Gastador, Leader of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) QPI Tagkawayan Local Chapter aims to strengthen the municipality's growing digital economy and immediately counter rising cyber threats by equipping Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)—small businesses—with essential knowledge and skills.

The three-hour session, led by expert instructors Roy Abenaza and Joshua Ferido, targeted practices including Phishing Awareness to help participants identify and avoid fraudulent scams. This program addresses a critical vulnerability, given that phishing attacks surged by over 23% in the first half of the year across the Philippines, data shows.

Participants learned Password Management and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)—a two-factor security measure—to block unauthorized access. Instruction also covered Malware and Ransomware Prevention by focusing on maintaining up-to-date software, performing data backups, and recognizing malicious software that compromises business data.

The program establishes a foundation for "Ligtas na Negosyo Online" (Safe Online Business), aiming to boost consumer trust and secure transactions. This work proves crucial because the national cybersecurity landscape shows that over 315,000 credentials were compromised nationwide in the first six months of the year, as reported by threat intelligence firms.