The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), in partnership with Astria Corporation, is providing critical digital forensics training to Philippine law enforcement to address the escalating threat of cybercrime. The training, which will run from 22 to 26 March, will be held at the National Cybercrime Hub in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, and will involve agents from the CICC as well as representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
CICC executive director Alexander K. Ramos emphasized the growing need for specialized skills in digital forensics to better resolve cybercrime cases and convict perpetrators. “With the increase in the cybercrime complaints received by various agencies, it is imperative for us to integrate digital forensics as a cornerstone in the battle against cybercrime,” Ramos said.
Digital forensics, or computer forensics, involves the process of identifying, preserving, examining, and analyzing digital evidence in a legal context. This encompasses a wide range of electronic devices, including computers, smartphones, servers, and digital storage media, all of which play key roles in modern criminal investigations.
Ramos further highlighted the importance of this initiative, saying, “Our new collaborations with industry partners underscore our mission to equip Philippine law enforcement agencies with world-class training and tools necessary to combat evolving cyber threats and digital-enabled criminality. This initiative represents a significant step toward achieving our vision of a safer digital environment for all Filipinos.”
Jonathan Shorter, lead forensic examiner at Astria with 18 years of global investigative experience, noted that digital evidence is crucial in a wide range of cases, from online fraud to transnational cybercrime. “Our goal through this collaboration is to empower our frontline officers with practical knowledge and the hands-on skills required to effectively seize, preserve, and analyze digital evidence, ensuring its admissibility and integrity throughout the judicial process,” Shorter explained.
This partnership reflects a crucial step toward strengthening the Philippine law enforcement’s ability to combat the growing tide of cybercrime, enhancing their capabilities to handle the complexities of digital evidence in an increasingly connected world.
