Navigating the Digital Frontier: A Review of Cybersecurity in Pangasinan

Abstract

The rapid digital transformation across the Philippines has brought forth unprecedented economic and social opportunities, alongside a burgeoning landscape of cyber threats. This review article synthesizes the current state of cybersecurity in the province of Pangasinan, a significant economic and educational hub in the Ilocos Region. While national-level studies depict a rising tide of cybercrime, including online scams, identity theft, and phishing, a focused scholarly examination of the cybersecurity posture of Pangasinan remains nascent. This paper, following an IMRAD (Introduction, Methodology, Results and Discussion, and Conclusion) structure, conducts a thematic literature review of existing research to map the prevailing cybersecurity trends, challenges, and opportunities within the province. The analysis is predicated on research articles pertaining to cybersecurity, cybercrime, digital literacy, and ICT infrastructure, with a deliberate exclusion of non-academic sources. The findings are thematically organized, exploring cybersecurity in local industries, the pivotal role of academic institutions, the foundational importance of digital literacy among its populace, and the overarching influence of the national cyber threat landscape. This review identifies a critical need for localized cybersecurity strategies that address the specific socio-economic and infrastructural realities of Pangasinan. Key challenges include enhancing the digital literacy of local government officials and the general public, fortifying the cyber defenses of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which form the backbone of the provincial economy, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness. Recommendations underscore the necessity for collaborative initiatives between local government units, academia, and the private sector to develop targeted training programs, establish a provincial cybersecurity task force, and promote research into the unique cyber risks faced by communities in Pangasinan.