Layers of security features to protect PhilID from data breaches

MANILA – Layers of security specification for data acquired under the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) project are incorporated in the production of the Philippine Identification (PhilID) to make sure all acquired information will be protected.

The assurance was made by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno in his speech during the online ceremonial kickoff event of PhilSys on Friday.

In October 2019, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the lead implementing agency for the PhilSys project, signed a memorandum of agreement with the BSP for the production of 116 million blank cards with security features for the national ID within three years.

Diokno said the BSP created “Security Plan Complex” on December 5, 2020 for the production of blank cards that will be customized and distributed after registration and data validation.

“Bilang mandato, ang produksyon ng PhilID ay kumikilala at sumusunod sa nailatag na security specification sa pre-personalized PhilID (As a mandate, the production of PhilID recognizes and adheres to the security specifications for the pre-personalized PhilID),” he added.

Diokno said security features include adopting tamper-proof services, ensuring data will not be used in illegal transactions nor will be copied for illegal purposes.

“Kabilang dito ang pag-incorporate ng mga layer of security upang masigurong mapangangalagaan ang mga data (This includes incorporating layers of security to make sure data are protected),” he added.

Why register with PhilSys?

Diokno noted that PhilSys is one of the significant aspects in pushing for financial inclusion among Filipinos.

The establishment of a single PhilID for every Filipino, he said, would help them acquire bank accounts while experiencing seamless, hassle-free, and cost-efficient transactions.

“Sa pamamagitan nito, magiging mas madali para sa mga bangko at ibang institusyon na paglingkuran ang ating mga kababayan sa low-income segments na lubos na nangangailangan ng tulong (Through this, it would be easy for the banks and other private institutions to serve our fellow citizens under low-income segments that most need help),” he said.

The PhilSys, he said, would push the government and private institutions to provide quality services and smooth transactions with its clients, especially to those who are lacking proof of identities.

Diokno said PhilSys has a huge contribution to the implementation of the “BSP Digitalization Agenda for Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap 2020-2023”.

He said PhilSys is the most vital infrastructure for digital finance and is critical to institutionalizing the social protection system in the Philippines.

“Ang PhilSys ay isang mainam at mabisang paraan tungo sa mas inklusibong ekonomiya na magbubuklod sa atin tungo sa mas maunlad na pamumuhay (PhilSys is the best and effective step to a more inclusive economy that will unite us towards more prosperous living conditions),” he said.

Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said the government targets to register at least 50 million Filipinos this year.

Based on PSA records, Chua said more than 10 million individuals have already completed the Step 1 registration process of PhilSys since it was implemented in October last year.

At least 90 percent of the pre-registrants claimed they don’t have their own bank accounts.

Chua said the primary objective of the PhilSys is to assist low-income families to access financial assistance and fast-track transactions through the provision of a valid ID.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law in August 2018 Republic Act 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act, which aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens.

The national ID shall be a valid proof of identity that is seen to pave the way for simplified public and private transactions.

It will also boost efficiency, especially in dealing with government services where people will only need to present one ID during transactions.