Addressing the Growing Threat of Cybercrime in Midsayap: Challenges and Solutions

Proposed Title of Research Interest

Addressing the Growing Threat of Cybercrime in Midsayap: Challenges and Solutions

Area of Study (Field of Specialization)

Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, Data Protection, Cybercrime Prevention, Information

Security

Background of the Study

Cybercrime has become a significant threat in the digital age, affecting individuals,
businesses, and local government units. Midsayap, a developing municipality in North
Cotabato, is not exempt from these threats. As more residents and businesses engage in
online transactions and digital communication, the risks of cybercrime, such as hacking,
identity theft, phishing, and online fraud, have increased (Smith et al., 2022).

According to reports from local authorities and cybersecurity agencies, cases of online
scams, unauthorized access to personal data, and financial fraud have been reported in
Midsayap (Philippine Cybersecurity Report, 2023). Similar trends have been observed in
other municipalities where cybercrime incidents have been linked to increasing digital
dependency and insufficient cybersecurity awareness (Brown, 2020).

With the increasing reliance on digital platforms, there is a growing need to assess the
vulnerabilities in the town’s cybersecurity infrastructure and the awareness level of its
residents regarding cyber threats. Addressing these challenges through research and policy
intervention can enhance Midsayap’s overall digital security framework (Jones & Lee,
2021).

Statement of the Problem

Despite efforts to improve cybersecurity, cybercrime continues to affect individuals and

businesses in Midsayap. There is a lack of comprehensive research on the specific cyber
threats prevalent in the municipality, the effectiveness of existing security measures, and
the awareness level of residents regarding cybersecurity best practices.

This study aims to identify the most common cyber threats in Midsayap, evaluate the
current cybersecurity strategies, and propose localized solutions to enhance digital safety.
Objectives of the Study

1. To identify the most common types of cybercrime affecting Midsayap.

2. To analyze existing cybersecurity strategies implemented by local businesses,

government agencies, and individuals.

3. To assess the level of awareness and preparedness of Midsayap residents regarding

cybersecurity threats.

4. To examine local and national policies related to cybercrime prevention in Midsayap.

5. To explore technological and policy-based solutions tailored to the cybersecurity needs of

Midsayap.

6. To provide recommendations for strengthening digital security and reducing cybercrime

incidents in the municipality.

Theoretical Framework

This study will be guided by the Routine Activity Theory (RAT) and the General Deterrence
Theory (GDT). The Routine Activity Theory explains that cybercrime occurs when a
motivated offender encounters a suitable target without sufficient protection. The General
Deterrence Theory emphasizes the role of legal and technological deterrents in preventing
cybercrime. These theories will help analyze the factors contributing to cybercrime in
Midsayap and the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures.

Purpose Methods/Procedures

This research will employ a mixed-methods approach, integrating both qualitative and
quantitative data to analyze cybercrime trends in Midsayap.

Data Collection

 Cybercrime reports from local law enforcement agencies.

 Surveys and interviews with residents, businesses, and government agencies.
 Online threat reports from cybersecurity firms and national agencies.
Data Pre-processing

 Cleaning and organizing raw data for accuracy.

 Categorizing cybercrime incidents based on type, frequency, and impact.
 Identifying missing or inconsistent data.

Narrative Visualization & Geospatial Data Analysis

 Creating data visualizations to illustrate cybercrime trends in Midsayap.

 Mapping cybercrime hotspots using geospatial analysis.
 Identifying high-risk areas and vulnerable sectors.

Time Series Forecasting

Applying time series models to predict future cybercrime trends and utilizing models such
as ARIMA, SARIMA, and Prophet to analyze cybercrime patterns.

Comparison of Time Series Models

 Evaluating the accuracy and performance of various forecasting models.

 Selecting the most effective model for cybercrime prediction in Midsayap.
 Providing recommendations based on the model’s predictive accuracy.

Research Locale and Respondents

The study will focus on Midsayap, North Cotabato, and will involve respondents from
various sectors, including local government units (LGUs), law enforcement agencies,
businesses, and internet users. Data will be gathered through surveys, interviews, and
analysis of cybercrime reports from local authorities.

Literature Review

1. Caba-ong et al. (2015) conducted a study on the spatiotemporal patterns of index crimes
in Ozamiz City, Philippines. They collected data on reported and docketed crimes from the
Ozamiz City Police Station and verified the information by interviewing case investigators.
The study revealed a decrease in crime rate from 2010 to 2011, with the most significant
decline observed in 2012 and a sharp increase in 2013. Among the index crimes, physical
injuries had the highest number of occurrences, followed by theft and robbery. Crimes
against property consistently outnumbered crimes against a person.

2. Tadjoeddin et al. (2021) focused on investigating the connection between inequality and
violent conflict in selected provinces in Indonesia. The study provided empirical evidence
supporting the notion that higher inequality in districts within 'high conflict regions'
contributes to an increase in violence. The econometric results remained robust even after
accounting for various factors such as province and time effects, ethnic and religious
fractionalizations, and other determinants of violence.

3. Mark and SARCENA (2021) employed a quantitative descriptive research method to

assess police operational activities and test their association with the crime rate in Pagadian
City, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. The study showed that crimes against a person were
more prevalent than crimes against property for index crimes, and other non-index crimes
outnumbered violations of special laws for non-index crimes. Patrolling had a positive
influence on both the commission and non-commission of index and non-index crimes.

4. Saravanan (2013) delved into data mining methods to predict crime patterns, considering
various factors such as spatial-temporal, socioeconomic, and demographic aspects. These
methods aimed to provide valuable insights into crime prediction for improved law
enforcement strategies. Butt et al. (2020) introduced a novel approach that combined data
mining and deep learning methodologies to predict spatial-temporal crime hotspots. Their
study focused on identifying areas with a higher likelihood of criminal activities, enabling
proactive measures to curb crime.

5. Umair et al. (2020) explored the use of several classifiers, including K-Nearest Neighbor
(KNN) and the Random Forest algorithm, to effectively identify and predict crimes. Their
findings demonstrated that the KNN classifier outperformed other classifiers in terms of
accuracy, making it a promising tool for crime prediction. Crime rates exhibit significant
variations from one country to another, with notable examples in the year 2022. Venezuela
held the unfortunate distinction of having the highest crime rate at 83.58%, followed by
Papua New Guinea at 81.19% and South Africa at 77.01%. The Philippines ranked in the
80th position with a crime index of 42.33% (Balmori de la Miyar, Hoehn-Velasco).
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