COTABATO CITY — In line with the Cybersecurity Month celebration, the Information and Knowledge Management Division (IKMD) of the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Mindanao Cluster 3, successfully capacitated the selected personnel of the BPDA during the 4-day workshop on โComputer Hardware, Basic PC Troubleshooting and Networking Fundamentals with Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Awarenessโ held on October 19-22, 2021 at DICT Mindanao Cluster 3 Training Center in Cotabato City.
This workshop aimed to equip selected personnel of the BPDA with better understanding on computer networking and computer network management in general, as well as to increase their knowledge on PC diagnostic, troubleshooting, and maintenance practices.
Engr. Ma. Jessa Garsuta, Training Specialist II of DICT Mindanao Cluster 3, discussed the topic on โcybersecurityโ which focuses on common cyber threats, how to avoid cyber attacks, and ways to protect information.
โDuring the pandemic, a lot of people have lost their jobs, in which these fraudulent activities, specifically phishing and smishing were used to scam other people just to make a living,โ she explained.
Garsuta also cautioned the participants of the other types of cyber threats including identify theft, hacking, photo and video voyeurism, and cyber extortion.
โIf you see promos and other offers online that are too good to be true, itโs a scam. Always think before you click,โ she added.
During the said activity, the participants were also taught to identify the ten (10) major computer parts, assembling and disassembling a computer; troubleshooting which includes detection of errors with beep codes and identification of common hardware problems and solutions; and computer system maintenance.
Furthermore, Engr. Hannah Grace Parcon, Information System Researcher III of DICT Mindanao Cluster 3, discussed matters about computer networking, various types of networking devices, common network types and topologies, assembling an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable, and RJ-45 wiring standards.
โSharing resources over a network actually saves time by eliminating sneakernet or physically walking to move data from device to device,โ she said.
At the end of the activity, Parcon reminded the participants to observe safety precautions such as know the hazards before working with network cable and equipment.
โWhen handling cable, always wear an eye protection. Never touch the ends of any type of cable with bare skin,โ she stressed. (BPDA-BARMM)