EU’s data rules may push improvements in PH cybersecurity – Trend Micro

MANILA, Philippines – The European Union’s (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) may spur the Philippines into improving its own data protection practices, according to a new report from Trend Micro.

Trend Micro explained that the GDPR, which went into efect on May 25, affects Philippine organizations, as companies based in the Philippines but engaged in businesses involving EU citizens must comply with the regulation.
 
“We see the GDPR pushing other countries, including the Philippines, to improve their respective data privacy regulations,” Myla Pilao, Trend Micro’s Director for Technology Marketing, noted.

“It is effectively making state-of-the-art data security the new standard across the globe.” 

Upholding the GDPR in the Philippines

The GDPR tasks companies and organizations operating in the EU with having more transparency in the processing of personal information and, at the same time, offering consumers more power over their personal data. (EXPLAINER: 5 main rights that EU’s new data privacy laws aim to uphold)

Pilao explained, “GDPR essentially empowers consumers to determine what data they will share, who will have access to such information and how companies can process and use them. Accordingly, consumers can better protect themselves online.”

Pilao added, “Compliance with the stricter rules on data protection spurs consumer confidence amid the growing threat of cybersecurity breaches. It also levels the playing field for companies by deterring unfair access to consumer data.”

Access to a user’s personal information “comes with the responsibility to ensure the consumers’ privacy and protection from cybercrimes. Approaches and attitudes towards cybersecurity would have to evolve and keep up with the changing security landscape,” Pilao went on to say. 

In the Philippines, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) is in charge of monitoring the compliance of companies and organizations when it comes to the privacy and security of stakeholders’ personal data.

Philippine companies can learn more about the GDPR and keeping in line with it on Trend Micro’s dedicated page.  – Rappler.com