An ongoing investigation has been initiated concerning a data breach at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), where sensitive email data has reportedly been found for sale online.
According to Philippines News Agency, the breach was brought to the agency's attention following reports that email data was available on online platforms. "The DFA has received reports of alleged email data being sold online. The Department's Information and Communications Technology Division is investigating the matter," Daza stated via a text message on Wednesday. She highlighted that the internal team is thoroughly probing the specifics of this incident to determine the extent and nature of the breach.
The breach was first highlighted by a group of cybersecurity enthusiasts known by their online handle 'Deep Web Konek'. Their findings, which were posted on the social media platform X, indicated that an entity known as 'chengyi' was allegedly selling the sensitive email data. The group also noted that the data samples they reviewed included documents marked as confidential, pointing to a significant security lapse involving sensitive governmental communications.