Beyond the Firewall: Building Cyber Awareness in Future Innovators
Our groundbreaking cybersecurity conference, hosted on March 19, 2025 at OLOPSC's Dionisio Sr. Hall, successfully engaged over 200 Junior High School Grade 10 students in the critical world of digital security. Under the visionary leadership of College Dean Dr. Ma. Lourdes C. Dimasakat, participants explored pressing challenges facing educational institutions today: sophisticated ransomware threats, evolving data privacy requirements, and the unique security vulnerabilities of remote learning platforms.
This landmark event, meticulously organized by the OLOPSC Computer Society (OCS), showcased the collaborative spirit of dedicated faculty members, passionate student leaders, and committed volunteers working in synergy. Throughout the conference, students acquired practical, actionable skills in threat identification, step-by-step incident response protocols, and cost-effective security measures specifically designed for educational settings with resource constraints.
View Program
Event Overview
Morning Session
Keynote presentations were given on cybersecurity threats, AI governance, and building secure learning environments.
Lunch Break
Networking opportunity was provided with speakers and attendees.
Afternoon Session
Panel discussion, interactive activities, and certificate awarding took place.
Meet Our Keynote Speakers
Ernesto J. Rufino Jr.
CEO of Cybercats PH and VP for IT at Royal Cargo, Inc. With over 20 years of industry experience, Ernesto is renowned for implementing robust cybersecurity frameworks and designing resilient network infrastructures. He has successfully led digital transformation initiatives for multiple Fortune 500 companies and frequently speaks at international security conferences.
Eduardo O. Justo
COO of Cybercats PH with extensive expertise in Zero Trust Architecture and IT governance. Eduardo has certified over 500 security professionals and authored two influential books on cybersecurity best practices. His innovative approach to security protocols has been adopted by government agencies and financial institutions across Southeast Asia.
Aaron Paul Santos
CIO of Cybercats PH specializing in threat analysis and security infrastructure. Aaron has led incident response teams for major data breaches affecting over 10 million users and developed proprietary security solutions now used by educational institutions nationwide. He holds multiple advanced certifications including CISSP, CISM, and CEH, and regularly contributes to global cybersecurity research initiatives.
Keynote Presentations
Emerging Cybersecurity Threats in Education
Mr. Rufino explored the latest threats affecting educational institutions, revealing shocking statistics about ransomware attacks targeting schools. His presentation highlighted vulnerable systems commonly found in academic settings and outlined a comprehensive framework of proactive measures institutions can implement to mitigate these evolving risks.
AI Governance in Education
Mr. Justo discussed essential principles, potential risks, and established best practices for educational institutions implementing AI technologies. Drawing from real-world case studies, he demonstrated how proper governance frameworks protect student data while enabling innovation. His talk concluded with a practical roadmap for responsible AI adoption in learning environments.
Building a Cyber-Secure Learning Environment
Mr. Santos highlighted key threats specifically targeting digital classrooms and presented practical steps to ensure safe digital learning. His engaging presentation included demonstrations of common attack vectors and provided attendees with a security checklist tailored for educators. The audience particularly appreciated his insights on balancing accessibility with robust security measures.
About Cybercats PH
Cybercats PH began as a small team of security experts responding to critical vulnerabilities in the Philippine education sector. What started as volunteer security assessments for local universities evolved into the country's premier cybersecurity consultancy focused on educational institutions.
Origins: 2019-2023
Prior to formal establishment, the founding team operated as independent consultants, conducting pro-bono security assessments that identified critical vulnerabilities across 35+ educational networks nationwide, preventing potential data breaches affecting millions of student records.
Founded May 2024
Established in response to the unprecedented wave of sophisticated cybersecurity breaches that compromised sensitive data at major corporations throughout Southeast Asia.
Visionary Leadership
Founded by Aaron Paul Santos, a distinguished cybersecurity strategist with over 15 years of expertise in safeguarding mission-critical digital infrastructure across finance, healthcare, and government sectors.
Mission-Driven
Committed to elevating cybersecurity awareness through evidence-based education and implementing robust, adaptable protection frameworks tailored specifically for educational institutions across the Philippines.
Comprehensive Services
Delivering enterprise-grade cybersecurity solutions including strategic risk assessment, advanced penetration testing, proactive threat hunting, and round-the-clock managed security operations with real-time incident response capabilities.
Since inception, Cybercats PH has developed strategic partnerships with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and various international cybersecurity organizations to create a comprehensive security ecosystem for Philippine educational institutions.
Panel Discussion
Student Safety in Digital Landscapes
Explored comprehensive strategies for protecting students across digital learning environments and social platforms.
Educators as Cyber Guardians
Examined how teachers successfully integrated cyber awareness into curriculum while serving as digital role models.
Pathways to Cybersecurity Careers
Discussed educational frameworks that equipped students with relevant skills and certifications for in-demand cybersecurity positions.
Institutional Security Best Practices
Analyzed effective implementation of comprehensive security protocols within educational institutions of all sizes.
Interactive Learning
Cybersecurity Quiz
Participants tested their knowledge through our interactive Mentimeter challenges, with students enthusiastically competing to demonstrate their understanding of essential cybersecurity concepts.
Scenario Challenges
Students applied their skills to realistic security scenarios that simulated actual cyber threats, collaboratively developing response strategies that educational institutions could implement immediately.
Win Prizes
Outstanding student participants received exclusive cybersecurity tools, certifications, and networking opportunities, with many forming ongoing mentorship relationships with industry experts.
Live Participation
Students and educators joined our interactive sessions through mentimeter.com using their smartphones. Participants actively contributed to polls, collaborative word clouds, and real-time Q&A, creating a dynamic learning environment where every student's perspective directly shaped our discussions.
Meet the Team and Our Core Values
CARE
Concern for welfare and protection of everyone.
INTEGRITY
Doing right even when no one is watching.
HUMILITY
Never let success get to your head.
RESILIENCE
Never let failure get to your heart