Privacy Commissioner’s Reminder: Be Safe Online During Holy Week

Wazzup Pilipinas!

NPC reminds Business and Government Agencies to Secure Data Processing Systems and for Individuals to be Safe Online for Holy Week

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) issued an advisory for Data Protection Officers (DPO) reminding them to secure data processing systems for the upcoming Holy Week long weekend, in order to prevent the duplication of the COMELEC data breach which happened during Holy Week 2016.

In the memorandum addressed to Data Protection Officers, the NPC recommended the following:

• Place non-mission critical systems off-line especially those that contain or have access to personal data.
• For systems that are kept off-line, ensure that all system activities are recorded and the aforementioned logs are secure.
• Password protect or encrypt files and databases on servers, desktop computers and other devices.
• Conduct a backup of systems and databases.
• Information Security team needs to retain the ability to remotely monitor systems and be ready respond to any unusual activity.
• Discourage physical breaches by securing office premises adequately.

Privacy Commissioner Raymund E. Liboro likens the protection of personal data during long holidays to securing one’s home when leaving for an out of town trip, “When one leaves for a long vacation or when you leave home for a long period of time unattended, you make sure that security precautions are in place to ensure that break-ins do not happen. The same way our DPO’s should safeguard their I.T. systems as well as ensure that adequate physical security are in place during times of minimal staffing”. Chairman Liboro said.

“The banking sector is also vulnerable, the Bangladesh bank heist of 2016 also happened on a long weekend (Chinese New Year), the economic significance of the financial sector is the reason why we are looking to have a general assembly of DPOs from the finance and banking sector next,” Commissioner Liboro added.

Early this month the NPC held the first general assembly of DPOs in Government (DPO1) and launched its newwebsite complete with information and tools for DPOs to help in complying with the country’s data protection and privacy laws.


Data Protection for individuals

For individuals going on the road for the holidays, Privacy Commissioner Liboro recommends doing the following data protection measures for their devices:

1. Double-check if your laptop or mobile phone have been updated with the latest security patches

‘Being on the road or away from your home network would mean that data connectivity would be slow and quota is very limited, and so you won't be able to do this reliably”


2. Make sure your personal and work data are backed up securely

“As history have shown in a dramatic fashion, both in Bangladesh central bank and COMELEAK incidents were done during long holidays, as this is a preferred time for criminals to act online.”


3. Turn off your home network router if nobody is going to be left at home

“Powered-off devices, not just home appliances will not only save you money from unnecessary electricity consumption, but also deny criminal an avenue to attack your home remotely.”


4. Be aware of Phishing scams and Fake websites

“Users need to be vigilant of emails and fake websites that aim to extract log-in credentials from unwary users. There has been an increase in these, and users need to be cautious in accessing their accounts from their own devices and most especially from shared devices”

DOTr Inspects Infra Projects to Ensure No Delays in Completion

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In line with the thrust of President Rodrigo Duterte to make his administration the "Golden Age of Infrastructure," Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade conducts inspections of various ongoing project constructions to ensure timely completion of key infrastructure projects.

Sec. Tugade inspected the ongoing construction of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 2, which is targeted to be completed by mid-2018. The new structure and the ongoing renovation of the existing terminal is poised to make Mactan-Cebu the world’s first resort airport.

Due to be operational in June 2018, Sec. Tugade also inspected the ongoing construction of the New Panglao Airport in Bohol, the newest gateway to tourist destinations in the province. It is projected to accommodate 1.9 million passengers annually.

Sec. Tugade however, reminded airport authorities that construction of new structures should not hamper renovations and improvement works in existing airports.

"The construction of Panglao Airport should not be a reason to delay the repairs of Tagbilaran Airport," Tugade told airport officials.

NBA Launches Network Of International Basketball Schools

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced the launch of NBA Basketball School, a network of tuition-based basketball development programs around the world open to international male and female players ages 6-18.  

The first NBA Basketball School launched today in Mumbai, India as part of a multiyear agreement announced today with India On Track (IOT), one of India’s leading sports management, marketing and development companies.  Additional NBA Basketball Schools will be launched in India and around the world in the coming months.

The new initiative adds an additional layer to the NBA’s existing basketball development efforts, including the Jr. NBA, Basketball without Borders (BWB) and NBA Academies.

The Jr. NBA, the league’s global youth basketball participation program for boys and girls, will help identify young players who have the talent to attend NBA Basketball Schools.  From there, the top players at each NBA Basketball School will have the opportunity to be selected to attend NBA Academies, the league’s network of elite basketball training centers around the world to develop top international male and female prospects.  Registration to attend the NBA Basketball School in Mumbai is now open at indiaontrack.nba.com. 

“Our goal is to inspire more young male and female players to learn the game under the guidance of established coaches with proven training techniques,” said NBA Vice President, International Basketball Operations & Head of Elite Basketball, Brooks Meek.  “The NBA Basketball School builds an additional track between the Jr. NBA and NBA Academies with the goal of increasing the pool of players who have the talent to attend our academies around the world.”

“There has never been a more exciting time for the growth of basketball in India,” said NBA India Managing Director Yannick Colaco.  “Between NBA Academy India welcoming 24 elite prospects and the launch of NBA Basketball Schools with our partner India On Track, we are investing more than ever in identifying and training India’s aspiring young players.”

“We are now at the cusp of a new phase in India’s sporting journey, and to ensure its continued growth we need to lay down strong foundations for basketball,” said India On Track Founder and Chief Executive Officer Vivek Sethia.  “This initiative jointly executed by the NBA and India On Track will help to create a platform to identify and engage the untapped basketball potential in India thereby creating a larger talent pool for academies to choose from.”

Each NBA Basketball School will feature year-long, tuition-based programs open to international male and female players ages 6-18.  The NBA Basketball School curriculum, which is designed to help players, parents, coaches and organizations better understand the process of improvement, has been developed by the NBA’s Elite Basketball Development team in consultation with current and former NBA coaches, former NBA players, and player development experts.  The comprehensive curriculum covers oncourt training, strength and conditioning, and basketball education for young players ages 6-18 and will be implemented by local coaches working directly with the NBA’s International Basketball Operations staff around the world.

The NBA Basketball School in Mumbai builds on the NBA’s existing basketball and youth development initiatives in India.  The Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA program has reached more than 3.5 million youth and trained more than 3,000 physical education instructors nationwide since its launch in 2013.  In November 2016, the NBA announced its plan to launch NBA Academy India, an elite basketball training center in Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) for the top male and female prospects from throughout India.  NBA Academy India, the first of its kind in the country, will open in May.