PLDT, Smart foil more than 182 million cyber-attacks, empower customers to stay vigilant

PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. urge the public to be wary of cybersecurity threats that could breach their devices and hack their personal data.

PLDT and Smart’s Cyber Security Operations Group (CSOG) foiled more than 182 million attempts to breach the group’s digital infrastructure in 2022 after amassing more than 123 million indicators of compromise that it uses for cyber-attack correlation.

“One of the biggest risks is a person’s behavior or attitude toward cybersecurity. If someone fails to take steps to protect his data and devices, it’s like leaving the door of the house open for robbers,” warned Angel Redoble, FVP and Chief Information Security Officer of PLDT and Smart.

CSOG underscores that the human factor is a major contributor to cybersecurity incidents. A World Economic Forum study bared that 95% of cybersecurity issues can be traced to human error. CSOG says the lack of knowledge exposes users to vulnerabilities that criminals exploit.

“PLDT and Smart have built a culture of cybersecurity in the workforce. In 2022, we did not record a single breach due to employee negligence. Now, we are extending the same mindset to our customers, so they become cybersmart and don’t fall prey to cyber-attacks,” said Redoble.

On top of sending advisories, CSOG also regularly runs phishing simulations to employees of the PLDT group. Over the years, the number of employees taking the bait has declined. Employee reporting had also gone up by 574% since simulations started in 2019.

PLDT and Smart’s #CyberSmart initiatives that spread awareness on cybersecurity are grounded in their customer-centric ideology that aims to deliver meaningful connections and experiences for their customers to live a fuller life.

This customer obsession drives the two companies to beef up the cybersecurity of their digital infrastructure as part of a broader effort to elevate the Filipinos’ experience by keeping customers and the country safe from threats and attacks. These initiatives highlight the Group’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG No. 9 on Industries, Innovation and Infrastructure.