Defending democracy: Cybersecurity in the Digital Campaign Era
WORK ON SITES Have you ever tried accessing a government website? For registration, checking your accounts, or setting it up. The slow signal weakens the pace, and the possibility of the interface not being as intuitive as one might agree. The initial impression of their website makes it a concern for the safety of public’s information. Lately, there have been hackers who specifically target government websites such as DOST (Department of Science and Technology), PhilHealth (Philippine Health and Insurance Corporation), PSA-CBMS (Philippine Statistics Authority- Community-Based Monitoring System) and most recently, the Philippine Navy’s database due to the current dispute with China due to the West Philippine Sea. The incidents concerning the data breach of the public may cause an uproar of distress, as the public urges the government agencies to take accountability for the websites lacking proper protection for a secure website. With that in mind, the upcoming National Elections and the candidates utilizing the power of the internet might cast worry on public voters. Following are the more common cyber risk that would likely impact the elections: Voter Registration System Voting Machine vulnerabilities Election Management systems Phishing and Social Engineering To a certain extent, there should be an enlightenment on taking precautionary measures in order to safeguard your data privacy. Meanwhile, a proactive cybersecurity approach should be largely considered when it comes to identifying cyber threats in elections. By getting ahead of the malicious actors and potential vulnerabilities, this involves continuous monitoring, implementation of advanced technologies to detect potential threats. In the midst of the digital age, education and study plays a crucial role in an event as important as the elections, a well-informed workforce is capable of navigating the cyber threats by reinforcing the strength of the election systems. By: Janha Tolentino References: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/11/elections-cybersecurity-ai-deep-fakes-social-engineering/ https://thelance.letran.edu.ph/Home/ReadMore/2928 https://asianews.network/cyberattacks-on-philippine-government-websites-possibly-due-to-sea-row-with-china/
Strategic Communication in the Age of Information Overload
We live in a world of information overload. A plethora of information competes for our attention in the media landscape, including press releases, blog entries, social media updates, and news alerts. Now that we live in an information society work and personal life have become more digitally connected — providing numerous sources of information being easily obtainable. We also have quick access to a wide range of information and can actively search for it, and even unconsciously take in a lot of messages and information. Also, giving importance with regards to the impact of email on our daily activities— the need to go through the piles of paper and emails is already quite the workload. But it is at this point where the problem of information overload arises. Questioning the Internet being the one to take the blame— also print, film, optical, magnetic, and digital media are only a few of the known sources of information overload. And there is an overwhelming amount of information available, but evaluating its quality is challenging since the yearly output of print, film, optical, and magnetic content in the world requires 1.5 billion gigabytes of storage. As a result, information overload has become a general issue. For reference, the following accurately depicts how frequently an average person uses the internet: An average person gets between 100 and 120 emails per day. Every month, an average person switches between seven different social media platforms. An average person typically views 10,000 advertisements every day. An average person normally texts 72 times a day. 150 times a day on average, millennials take up their smartphones. Plus, based on the definition of strategic communication, it is about the “Intentional communication that advances an organization’s goals and is specifically aligned with the mission and vision.” And when it comes to the goal? It means to communicate deliberately in order to engage our audience. How do we do this? Before connecting with your audience, both offline and online, you might want to consider the following five strategic steps: Recognize your target audience Recognize the communication styles of your audience. Recognize the learning methods that your target audience prefers. Recognize that consistency matters Recognize that systems may influence your outcomes. More than ever, effective communication remains crucial in the hyperconnected world. Delivering a message is not enough; you also need to strategically create and market it to connect, inspire, and influence your target audience. To sum up, in the digital era, strategic communication is an effective tool that can propel business success. With the potential of strategic communication to engage, inspire, and influence your target audience may be completely realized by understanding your audience, creating captivating narratives, utilizing social media, and handling crises appropriately. By: Pauline Anacay PHOTO COURTESY: LinkedIn Source links: INFO SOURCE: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov worshipfacility.com www.worshipfacility.com
Combat Misinformation and Disinformation in Campaigns
Can Misinformation Swing the Next Election? As we head towards the 2025 elections, one question looms large: Can we trust what we see online? The recent incident involving Las Pinas Rep. Camille Villar where a manipulated post falsely linked her to gymnast Carlos Yulo’s olympic success, distorting the truth and misleading the public. 3 Ways Misinformation Undermine Democracy Distorting Truths: How easy it is to believe a lie? A single manipulated post can mislead thousands, if not millions. What happens when these lies target election candidates? Weaponizing Social Media Could the same platforms that connect us also be used to sway elections and shift public opinion? Critical Thinking: Your Defense Against Deception Are you ready to question what you see online? Rep. Villar’s warning about the false post urges us to prioritize facts over sensationalism, especially when voting. As election day approaches, the stakes get higher. This incident is a wake-up call for both voters and candidates. Combating misinformation requires us to be VIGILANT, INFORMED, and committed to TRUTH over LIES. Source link: metromanila.politiko.com.ph By: Althea Nuestro
The Power of Data: Reshaping Political Strategies in the Philippines
Is AI set to transform Philippine politics? As the Philippines gears up for its next elections, artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize political strategies. This technological shift isn’t just about efficiency; it’s fundamentally changing how political power is exercised and how voters are engaged. Rising Digital Repression Governments are increasingly using digital tools for surveillance and control. AI and mass surveillance technologies are becoming key instruments for monitoring and suppressing dissent, posing a serious threat to democratic freedoms. AI in Philippine Campaigns With the 2024 elections approaching, AI is reshaping campaign strategies. AI allows candidates to craft highly personalized messages and conduct virtual rallies, expanding their reach and impact. However, this also means campaigns must be wary of AI-driven misinformation and voter manipulation. Navigating the Challenges As AI transforms campaigning, there are challenges related to misinformation and digital ethics. Addressing these concerns requires improving public awareness of AI’s risks, adopting clear AI regulations, and learning from global practices. Moving Forward with AI For most of the country, embracing AI responsibly is important. By balancing technological innovation with ethical considerations, the country can enhance electoral engagement while safeguarding democratic processes. How will AI impact the future of elections? Stay alert and informed as the digital age reshapes the election landscape. By: Althea Nuestro & Pauline Anacay Source links INFO SOURCE: carnegieendowment.org usip.org dbresearch.com NEWS SOURCE: digiconasia.net
Stay Safe from Deepfakes!
Deepfakes are everywhere, and some are even coming out of unexpected sites. Below are some of the ways to be informed on how deepfakes impact the public’s perception: Political Manipulation Misinformation and Fake News Privacy Concerns Impact on Businesses Deepfakes are deemed as attention-grabbing stunt in both short and long-form videos, with the rapid and quick sharing of information on social media sites– the “face-swapped pornography” of the current President Bongbong Marcos, surfaced amid late April this year. Such manipulated audio and video are becoming more trending on social media platforms, making the uploaded content difficult to take down let alone identify. According to the Philippine News Agency, deepfake technology continues to threaten national security and is regarded as a form of terrorism. Keep your eyes open, and make sure you catch them. To mitigate its impact, here are some of the fool-proof hacks: Women are known to be the primary target as subjects for intimate or sexually suggestive online videos, it is important to educate women about deepfakes Always questioning the source of information and analyzing the website algorithm to see if there are noticeable changes to the structure or layout is crucial. Also,seeking out different viewpoints from people would be of great help in discerning matters better. Consequently, by encouraging safe online conduct; creating a multi-factor authentication system with a strong password, and generating a different one for every website. Being mindful of sharing such personal information should not be overlooked for artificial intelligence can easily interpret and decipher digital blueprints. Evidenced by the proliferation of shallowfake and deepfake content, underscores the need for advanced software and legislation. As well as establishing a balance between innovation and building protection against harmful abuse will be crucial– demanding a coordinated effort by technology developers, legislators, and the general public to analyze A.I.generated media. To learn more about the integration of Artificial Intelligence in Political Campaign, Join us at the National Election Game Changer Summit to learn winning tactics from global experts and stay ahead in the race for 2025. Don’t let your campaign fall behind—the future of elections is here! References INFO SOURCE: Openfox.com NEWS SOURCE: rappler.com
