Cybercrime incidents are climbing in the Philippines, with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) reporting a 21.8% increase in cases in early 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This alarming trend has highlighted the need for better cybersecurity practices.
To address these concerns, Eastern Communications introduced the second season of its “Thoughts on Tech” video podcast, spotlighting cybersecurity. The series, launched during Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, features experts like Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Jeffrey Dy and News5 anchor Jes Delos Santos.
“The cybersecurity solutions are actually there to make sure that operations will continue, it will not be disrupted,” said Rex Evangelista, hea dof IT at Eastern Communications.
He likened cybersecurity to insurance, stressing its importance in maintaining business continuity and protecting reputations.
Reports from the Anti-Cybercrime Group show online scams, credit card fraud, and phishing attacks among the most common threats. Companies are increasingly targeted, with scammers using advanced technologies such as Fake Base Transceiver Stations to send fraudulent messages directly to users.
“From a cybersecurity perspective, the technology is also rapidly evolving and can be used for any malicious or any form of attacks,” said Pancho Reyna, managing director of AI, Data, and Engineering at UBX.
Reyna added that businesses should focus on prevention and deterrence to protect sensitive data.
DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Dy pointed out that all sectors, including government and education, face advanced cyber threats.
“Hacking is a lot easier now, and that’s the problem,” Dy said.
He also urged businesses to prioritize cybersecurity investments where they matter most.
Eastern Communications’ podcast aims to equip businesses with the knowledge to strengthen their defenses. As cyber threats grow, proactive measures, employee training, and robust technologies remain critical for safeguarding operations and customer trust.