As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in business operations, cybercriminals are also finding new ways to exploit it. In line with Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Eastern Communications is urging Philippine companies to take a more proactive stance against AI-driven cyber threats—an issue that has grown more urgent as attacks become faster, smarter, and harder to detect.
The telco provider’s Thoughts on Tech vodcast series recently launched special Cybersecurity Month episodes to help guide businesses through this evolving digital threat landscape. The episodes feature Maez De Guzman, Cybersecurity Leader at EY Global Delivery Services (EY GDS) Philippines, and Colonel Francel Padilla, Spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Their discussions unpacked how organizations can strengthen cyber resilience and protect national digital infrastructure.
A call to strengthen the country’s cyber defense
De Guzman stressed that businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), must keep pace with the speed of technological change. “We’re being attacked at machine speed, but we’re actually defending at human speed,” she said, noting that adopting a stronger cybersecurity mindset begins with frameworks such as Zero Trust.
“So, the framework actually means zero trust from its name—meaning trust no one, verify everything,” she explained. “All the technologies now support Zero Trust—from micro-segmentation to identity-related proxies—everyone should align to the framework of Zero Trust.”
In another episode, Col. Padilla emphasized that cybersecurity is no longer confined to individual organizations but has become a matter of national defense. “Cyber has no barriers, so you cannot really say, ‘You’re intruding into Philippine cyberspace.’ There’s no such thing,” she said.
She added that digital protection must extend beyond institutions to strengthen national resilience, noting, “If we have a secured country, then we have a secured economy.”
Supporting advocacy with action
Eastern Communications is backing its advocacy with practical cybersecurity solutions for local enterprises. In partnership with Nexusguard, a global leader in DDoS mitigation and cybersecurity, Eastern now offers DDoS-Protected Eastern IDS (Internet Direct Service), empowering businesses with seamless, dedicated business internet backed by 24/7 reliable protection.
According to Nexusguard’s 2025 DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) Trends Report, the average size of DDoS attacks surged by 69% year-over-year, with peak attacks reaching as high as 962.2 Gbps—creating unprecedented strain on networks worldwide. The report highlights end-to-end hybrid protection solutions, combining cloud scalability and on-premise responsiveness, as the most effective defense against today’s diverse DDoS threats.
For companies seeking enhanced protection, Eastern’s DDoS security solutions are also available as standalone services, ensuring continuous, efficient, and worry-free operations in today’s digital landscape.
“Eastern Communications remains steadfast in advocating for a safer, more secure digital Philippines,” said Edsel Paglinawan, Eastern Communications’ Chief Revenue and Experience Officer. “Through our Cyber Defense solutions and platforms like Thoughts on Tech, we aim to empower enterprises to build digital resilience and strengthen the Philippines’ cybersecurity ecosystem. This is part of how we continue exceeding expectations and serving with malasakit.”
As cyber threats continue to evolve, Eastern Communications is reaffirming its role as a trusted technology partner committed to securing the nation’s digital future and helping Filipino enterprises stay connected, competitive, and safe in an increasingly AI-driven world.
To learn more about Eastern Communications and its initiatives, visit www.eastern.com.ph or follow its Facebook page.
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