Mactan, Cebu — The VST ECS CXO Tech Summit focuses on the relationship between digitalization and cybersecurity. The ongoing pursuit to strike a balance between adopting new technologies and safeguarding digital assets remains a challenge.

“We are charting a course through a landscape that has seen profound advancement in recent years,” said Jimmy Go, president and CEO of VST ECS Phils. Inc. “It is important to understand that digital transformation is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey.”

VST ECS is an ICT distributor in the country, which organized the ongoing summit gathering visionaries, technology experts, and industry professionals to delve deeper into the importance of digitalization and cybersecurity in shaping businesses today.

VST ECS CXO Innovation Summit underscores key drivers of digital modernization
VST ECS CXO Innovation Summit: Database modernization key to operational efficiency 

Under the theme “Digital Transformation: Growth and Resilient Cybersecurity,” the summit is designed to help businesses enhance customer experience while achieving business growth at the same time.

AI

Citing data from industry research firm Gartner, Go noted that spending on software continues its upward trajectory, with expectations of a 13% year-over-year increase in 2024, surpassing the $1 trillion mark.

“These forecasts affirm that IT will continue to serve as a catalyst of change, propelling innovation and growth even in the face of broader economic challenges.” Go said.

The renewed and reinforced interest in artificial intelligence (AI) presents both benefits and drawbacks. AI, as a tool, can either enhance business processes or be exploited by cybercriminals for illicit activities.

The summit aims to provide a platform for organizations and IT professionals to share strategies and best practices necessary to navigate the digital landscape and confront cybersecurity challenges head-on. The objective is for organizations to become more proactive by equipping their security operations centers (SOC) and IT teams with the right tools to ensure data security.

Data security

“Our duty extends beyond safeguarding traditional IT infrastructure to ensuring the robust security of devices that are an integral part of our daily lives,” Go said. “This involves continuous monitoring for vulnerabilities and incorporating security as a fundamental aspect of system design.”

In the weeks leading up to the summit, some Philippine government agencies and an educational institution reported unauthorized access and hacking into their systems, underscoring the vulnerability of security systems in the Philippines.

“The role of the CXO is pivotal in navigating the complex and fast-paced technological landscape of today’s business world,” Go said. “As technology continues to evolve, so does the importance of this role in ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of a company.”