The Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the U.S. Embassy has hosted a roundtable meeting in Manila for Filipino and American experts with a view to boosting bilateral cooperation on cyber security.
In a statement, the U.S. Embassy said the served as a venue for “exchange and sharing of knowledge on such issues as investigating the criminal use of cryptocurrency and responding to computer and network intrusions.
“We all have a clear interest in strengthening norms that mitigate cyber threats and enhance stability in cyberspace,” said INL director Kelia Cummins at the inaugural Law Enforcement Cybersecurity Awareness Month Roundtable Meeting and Networking Event.
The U.S. Embassy organized the event on October 13 to mark U.S. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Eight officials from the National Bureau of Investigation, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency—all graduates of the INL-supported International Law Enforcement Academy in Bangkok—participated in the meet and committed to closer inter-agency collaboration to enhance the capacity of law enforcement personnel amid the increasingly advanced tools and technology used by cyber criminals.
Officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Police Commission also attended the conference, while representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice-Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service were present as observers and advisory subject matter experts.
The statement said the roundtable participants agreed to reconvene in six months to assess progress in each agency’s cyber-related goals and to support open lines of communication across agencies.
The Philippines’ DOJ also shared its plans to further develop its information-sharing network to facilitate interagency cooperation.
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in the United States is a collaborative effort between government and the communications industry to raise awareness about digital security, highlight the importance of cybersecurity in national security, and empower individuals with the tools they need to stay safe online domestically and internationally.
It is also an occasion to call on stakeholders to take action in protecting individuals and enterprises against cyber threats and working with global partners to hold cybercriminals accountable.
Globally, INL promotes proactive action against cybercriminals through international law enforcement cooperation and bilateral, regional, and global capacity-building, technical assistance, and training to adapt to the transnational and constantly changing landscape of cybercrime.
The Embassy statement said the INL also supports the development of legal and institutional frameworks and relationships that enable diplomatic and law enforcement collaboration across borders.
