Strengthening Digital Trust through Digital Document Security: DOST-ASTI’s DataProtect-SIERRA Project leads Self-Sovereign Identity in Government

2 Oct 2024 10:49 AM

 

Participants of the Digital Document Signing Workshop, along with Computer Software Division Chief Ms. Joanna G. Syjuco (second from front-left), gather for a group photo, marking the successful completion of the two-day training aimed at enhancing digital security practices within government agencies.

Quezon City, Philippines — With the rise of cyber threats and the need for data privacy, the Department of Science and Technology - Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) emphasizes the importance of implementing secure and reliable digital signatures and verification approach to ensure the authenticity and integrity of official documents. In line with this, the DataProtect-SIERRA Project recently conducted an End Users Training-Workshop on Digital Document Signing and the DataProtect-SIERRA System on 17-18 September 2024 at the DOST-ASTI Training Room. 

“Our government sector deals with highly sensitive information that requires stringent security measures,” remarked John Kevin C. Abonita, Lead Software Quality Engineer during the opening speech. “By adopting digital signatures, we not only enhance document security but also improve operational efficiency, aligning with the broader national goals for technological innovation.” 

Mr. Jiggy Calucag, Twala's Business Development Manager, provides an insightful session onIntroduction to Secure and Tamper-Proof Digital Signature, highlighting how TwalaSign can enhance document security and streamline processes in government agencies. 

Industry partner Twala was invited as a resource speaker, with Business Development Manager Jiggy Calucag and CTO Alexander Paul Quinit leading an insightful session on “Introduction to Secure and Tamper-Proof Digital Signature.” Twala demonstrated the capabilities of TwalaSign and showcased how its advanced features can transform document processing in the government sector, highlighting the latest trends in digital signatures. 

The two-day workshop featured a series of demonstrations and hands-on activities led by the DataProtect-SIERRA Team. One of the highlights was a detailed demonstration of the SIERRA system, focusing on managing Personal Data Sheets (PDS). Participants learned how to securely apply for credentials, issue digital identities, and control data access. The session also included practical steps for downloading and installing the ASTI Wallet app, enabling participants to effectively manage digital identities. 


Ms. Roxanne S. Aviñante, Senior Science Research Specialist and Project Leader of DataProtect-SIERRA leads a session on 'Introduction to Blockchain and DataProtect-SIERRA,' outlining the project's role in strengthening digital document security in the government. 

Through this comprehensive training, DOST-ASTI underscored the crucial role of digital signatures and self-sovereign identity management in fostering a culture of security within government institutions, ensuring that sensitive data is protected against unauthorized access and tampering. The interactive format allowed participants to gain practical experience and provided valuable insights for enhancing their own document management processes. 

DataProtect-SIERRA Project and Twala, advancing secure digital document signing within government operations: (left to right) Ms. Roxanne S. Aviñante, Senior Science Research Specialist and Project Leader; Twala’s CTO, Alexander Paul Quinit; Business Development Manager, Jiggy Calucag; and John Kevin C. Abonita, Project Lead Software Quality Engineer, following a successful workshop session on Twala’s document solutions. 

In her closing remarks, Ms. Joanna G. Syjuco, Chief Science Research Specialist, emphasized that this end user training was not just an educational exercise but a pivotal step in enhancing digital infrastructure. “By embracing these technologies, we take a significant step towards modernizing our processes and strengthening the security of our digital documents,” she noted. This sentiment underscored the workshop's role in gathering valuable insights to further support the DataProtect-SIERRA Project's ongoing development and implementation of secure digital solutions within government operations. 

DOST-ASTI is committed to empowering government agencies with cutting-edge solutions that drive the national agenda for secure and efficient digital transformation.