MANILA – The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has launched three major cybersecurity initiatives to help prevent cyberattacks before they happen.

In a news release on Friday, DICT Cybersecurity Undersecretary Julius Gorospe said the initiatives are the Bug Bounty Program, the DICT Trusted Assessment Provider (D-TAP) framework, and the Cybersecurity Posture Assessment Laboratory (CPAL).

“These programs move us away from simply reacting to cyber incidents. They help secure government systems early and protect the Filipino people who rely on digital services,” Gorospe said.

The Bug Bounty Program encourages ethical hackers to responsibly report security weaknesses in government systems, helping make online public services safer for millions of users.

The D-TAP framework allows the DICT to accredit trusted cybersecurity firms that will conduct security checks and audits to ensure government platforms and critical infrastructure meet strict standards.

Meanwhile, CPAL helps government offices assess their cybersecurity readiness, identify system weaknesses early, and fix them before cyberattacks occur.

“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. By working with ethical hackers, accrediting trusted experts, and regularly assessing system security, we are strengthening the country’s digital defenses,” Gorospe said.