Small Businesses at Risk of Failing Due to Cyber Attacks -- ePLDT

Wazzup Pilipinas!

​Small and medium-sized companies are at the forefront of the country’s economic development, bringing in fresh and disruptive solutions to consumers and their enterprise counterparts. But while these emerging companies see a promising future in the Philippine market, the proliferation of cyber threats impedes their sustainable growth.

Latest available data shows that 98 percent of businesses in the country are working their way up to compete with more established companies. However, security breaches have become their barriers for growth, with
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74 percent of small organizations reported to have been breached in 2015 alone, according to the UK Government Security Breach Survey.

“SMEs have become the prime target of cyber criminals because compared with larger companies, these emerging businesses have little to no cyber security strategy in place—making them easier to penetrate,” said Angel Redoble, ePLDT Group Chief Information Security Officer. “What’s even more alarming is that, hackers may use these growing businesses as their gateway to attack bigger companies—a scenario that is not entirely new in the digital era.”

“Small businesses may not feel the pressing need to adopt cyber security architecture now,” Redoble continued, “but working with a professional who can identify and mitigate cyber risks will go a long way in ensuring that the company is positioned for steady growth.”

“Budget constraints may limit leaders of these small businesses in deploying cyber security infrastructure, but they need to at least work with professionals who have the right skills in combating cyber threats,” Redoble said. “For SMEs to soar forward, they need to think big. They have to realize the crucial roles played by cyber security experts who can take the lead in ensuring their business resilience, especially now that cyber criminals are getting smarter.”

With that in mind, ePLDT—the industry-leading enabler of digital business solutions in the Philippines—works with small and medium businesses to strengthen their cyber security posture with the right infrastructure, expertise and strategies.

ePLDT, through its Cyber Security portfolio, offers security risk assessment, digital forensics, ransomware investigation and malware analysis, and incident response. These services are complemented with Managed Security services that cover the management, maintenance, policy configuration and reporting of on-premise or hosted dedicated security hardware. It also includes the installation of cyber security infrastructure, configuration and policy management, service level agreements on response time and phone and e-mail support.

“These services, paired with our certified managed security expertise, can help strengthen the cyber defenses of companies that want to drive growth in today’s fast-paced business environment,” said Nerisse Ramos, ePLDT Group Chief Operating Officer. “Riding the digital wave is no longer just about who innovates first but also who endures over time due to the trust of their customers. This is our role as a trusted partner: we can help organizations make the right decisions in realigning their risk management that’s up to par with today’s demands, and enable business resilience.”

ePLDT is home to Cyber Security experts who have a proven track record in managing and mitigating cyber threats, as well as implementing security programs at a fraction of the cost. In fact, Check Point Software Technologies—the largest network cyber security vendor globally—recognizes ePLDT as the first Managed Security Service Provider in Southeast Asia that offers flexibility in offering managed security services to customers based on their OPEX. This is a business model which most vendors cannot offer.

To be awarded with the Managed Security Service Provider status, Check Point requires that the provider should have its own 24/7 support operation center, at least three Check Point Certified Security Experts (CCSEs), the ability to support customer cases and solve support tickets, and can deliver management services using Multi-Domain Management (MDM), a software that provides tighter security control by segmenting security management into multiple virtual domains.

Apart from CCSE certifications, ePLDT is also home to certified Check Point Certified Security Administrators (CCSAs) who help manage the complexities that come with ensuring a holistic cyber security.

ePLDT is working in coordination with PLDT Enterprise to reach companies that need a systematic approach to combating cyberattacks.

“As technology and the world become more advanced and connected, one cannot underscore the need for security." said Jovy Hernandez, Senior Vice President and Head of PLDT Enterprise. “Cyber threats are a clear and present danger to anyone who has a digital footprint. PLDT Enterprise and ePLDT work tirelessly to enable resiliency and security solutions to businesses of all sizes, allowing them to focus on their growth knowing their future is secure.”

Learn more about ePLDT, Inc. by visiting the website at www.epldt.com.