Eastern Communications Teams Up with Industry Experts to Share Essential Cybersecurity Insights for Business Protection

In observance of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Eastern Communications joined industry leaders to discuss strategies for businesses to safeguard themselves against the increasing threat of cyberattacks.

Between January and August 2024, the Philippine National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-PH) recorded over 2,000 cyber incidents, highlighting the growing cybercrime threat in the country. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), cybercrime cases increased by 21.8% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with online selling scams topping the list.

Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, using tools like Fake Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) to launch direct attacks through fraudulent SMS messages. To help businesses stay protected, Eastern Communications featured tech experts in its Thoughts on Tech podcast series, exploring topics such as government roles in cybersecurity, safeguarding customer data, IT risk management, and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI).

Rex Evangelista, Head of IT at Eastern Communications, emphasized the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures. He likened cybersecurity to insurance—protecting business operations and reputation from potential attacks.

Pancho Reyna, Managing Director of AI, Data, and Engineering at UBX, shared insights into the evolving nature of cyberattacks, especially in the finance sector. He stressed the importance of securing systems to make them difficult to penetrate.

Jeffrey Ian Dy, Undersecretary at the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), highlighted the need for both public and private sectors to cooperate in defending against cyber threats. He also urged businesses to focus their resources on securing critical areas such as Wi-Fi access points and strong password protocols.

Catz Jalandoni, Country Head of the Global AI Council Philippines, discussed AI's dual role in business, providing both opportunities for innovation and risks when misused. She advocates for responsible AI development and ethical use, a practice she calls “mothering” AI.

As cyber threats evolve, businesses must stay ahead by adopting proactive security measures, investing in technology, and training their teams. Eastern Communications provides a range of ICT solutions, from secure networks to advanced cybersecurity tools, to help businesses defend against cyber risks.

For further guidance, Eastern Communications, in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham), is hosting an event on October 30, 2024, to discuss best practices and strategies for strengthening cybersecurity in the Philippines.

For more information on cybersecurity solutions, contact Eastern Communications at 5300-7000 or visit www.eastern.com.ph.