USAID and U.S.-Philippine Joint Cybersecurity Working Group Convene to Discuss 5G Network Security in the Philippines

(Top photo, l-r) U.S. Embassy Manila ICT Unit Chief Saptarshi Basu, USAID’s BEACON Chief of Party John Garrity, NOW Corporation Chairman Mel Velarde, Nokia Philippines Head Carlos Reyes, Australian Embassy First Secretary Ben Esguerra, U.S. Embassy Manila Economic Counselor David Gamble, and National Telecommunications Commission Director Candido Caesar Faeldon participated in the JCSWG session on 5G network security. (Bottom left photo) Participants of the JCSWG session in Makati City. (Bottom right photo) Mr. Gamble during the panel discussion.

On January 24, 2023, United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON) Project and the U.S. – PH Joint Cybersecurity Working Group (JCSWG) hosted a hybrid session on the economic impact and potential of 5G and the necessary cybersecurity considerations to maximize 5G’s contribution to the economy. 5G wireless technology is the 5th generation mobile network that offers greater bandwidth, lower latency, and a wider range of use cases a compared to its predecessors 4G and 3G.

More than 110 participants from the public and private sector, civil society, and academe participated in the session in Makati City with about 120 more joining online. Points raised during the session include ensuring the network infrastructure is sourced from trusted nations and vendors, and the need to develop the country’s cybersecurity workforce, including upskilling chief information security officers. Citing the results of the National Cybersecurity Talent Workforce Assessment Report developed by IBM and USAID’s BEACON, the panel discussed how a shortage of cybersecurity talent also threatens the supply chain for secure network infrastructure.

A secure, open, and trusted digital infrastructure is crucial for the Philippines’ inclusive and resilient economic growth.