Senator seeks probe into ransomware attack against PhilHealth

(REUTERS)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Mark Villar has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the recent cyber attack on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) website. 

Villar, in his proposed Senate Resolution No. (SRN)  811, filed Monday, said the incident has exposed the “vulnerability” of the agency’s data security measures, pointing out the need to fortify cybersecurity measures, especially in sectors dealing with sensitive data.

The Medusa ransomware group recently launched a ransomware attack on PhilHealth’s website and demanded a ransom of $300,000. 

According to Villar, this is not only an attack against PhilHealth but also an attack against every member of PhilHealth.

The senator likewise stated in his resolution that PhilHealth was not the first government agency to be a victim of cyberattack. Other incidents involving various government agencies are as follows: 

• the hacking of the internal computer system of the Office of the Ombudsman this month
•  the alleged breach against the NBI and PNP database containing sample photos of IDs, and PNP and NBI clearances  in  February 2023
• the COMELEC Data Breach last March 2016
• the attack against the main Philippine government portal “gov.ph” in 2021

“It is high time that we strengthen our cyberspace security as we are dealing with private and delicate information that could endanger, not just of one institution, but of the general Filipino public,” Villar said in a separate statement issued Tuesday.

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