A report by the Asean Innovation Business Platform (AIBP), in partnership with cybersecurity firm Fortinet, found that 45% of surveyed Philippine organizations view cybersecurity and privacy as their main challenges in going digital. The findings come as businesses increasingly rely on technology to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.
“Organizations are facing more advanced cyber threats as they move toward digital platforms,” said Peerapong Jongvibool, senior director, Fortinet Southeast Asia. “They need to act quickly and adopt smarter tools to defend themselves.”
The report showed that 65% of companies still depend on best-of-breed security tools that work independently, rather than using an integrated platform. These tools are commonly used for malware detection, vulnerability management, incident response, and network monitoring. While effective on their own, these tools can become difficult to manage when not working together, leading to gaps in protection.
“Using too many separate security tools can slow down response times and make it harder to spot real threats,” said Jongvibool. “A unified platform supported by AI can help solve this by connecting the dots faster and reducing manual work.”
Automating basic tasks
AI plays a major role in this shift. It allows systems to spot unusual activity, detect new types of threats, and automate basic security tasks. This helps cybersecurity teams respond more quickly and focus on complex issues. The report identified three key priorities for companies: preventing incidents, speeding up threat detection, and improving user verification methods.
AI also strengthens login processes by using techniques like behavioral biometrics and ongoing identity checks. These reduce the risks that come with traditional passwords and support a more proactive approach to security.
“AI makes it easier for businesses to prevent attacks rather than just react to them,” said Jongvibool. “It’s also helping companies deal with the lack of skilled cybersecurity workers by taking over repetitive tasks.”
Traditional defenses are not enough
The report revealed that over 75% of surveyed companies plan to start using AI in their cybersecurity operations within the next year.
One area gaining attention is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), a cloud-based solution that combines network and security services. Around 30% of companies have already adopted SASE, and half are considering it.
“SASE with AI allows companies to secure their data and systems no matter where their people are working from,” said Jongvibool. “It also simplifies operations, which is a big plus.”
As attackers continue to use AI to scale their efforts, traditional defenses may not be enough. AI-driven tools are proving essential for organizations that want to protect themselves and respond quickly to threats in today’s fast-moving digital environment.