IN A strategic move to help bolster the nation’s cyber defenses, PLDT Home, with global cybersecurity expert Kaspersky. This collaboration will improve online security of PLDT Home’s fiber subscribers by providing them with free access to Kaspersky Premium Security (KPS) for 24 months.
It also seeks to hasten the implementation of the innovative concept of “cyber immunity,” a revolutionary approach to cybersecurity that goes beyond traditional reactive measures. Using security measures at home helps in the overall fulfillment of cybersecurity at the ground level.
“We understand that cybersecurity education and protection must start at home,” Jeremiah de la Cruz, PLDT Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Business — Home told reporters at the launch of the partnership. Access by PLDT Home fiber subscribers to KPS gives them a top-grade, comprehensive security suite that offers real-time protection against various online threats, including viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks.
While a significant majority of Filipinos recognize the value of endpoint security applications, a startlingly low percentage have taken action to protect their devices. The tie-up aims to bridge this gap which in a way aligns to achieving the fundamentals of cyber immunity.
“I believe that this partnership will help forward the ideals of cyber immunity. This is a good beginning and a powerful one,” Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of Kaspersky told Malaya Business Insight.
Cyber immunity, as envisioned by Kaspersky, focuses on building inherently secure systems from the ground up. By incorporating security measures at the design stage and throughout the development process, cyber immunity aims to create a digital environment that is resilient to attacks, minimizing the risk of breaches and data loss.
“Cybersecurity today is like treating symptoms of a disease. Cyber Immunity is about preventing the disease from occurring in the first place.” Kaspersky said. He envisions a future where cyberattacks are not just difficult but virtually impossible, thanks to the inherent security of digital systems.
Similarly, PLDT recognizing the growing threat of cyberattacks in the Philippines and globally, sees starting off cybersecurity at home is a critical step in protecting its vast network and millions of customers–and eventually lead to cyber immunity.
Kaspersky Premium Security’s multi-faceted approach to cybersecurity includes signature-based detection, heuristic analysis, behavioral monitoring, web protection, and automatic updates. This multi-layered defense effectively combats a wide array of malware threats, providing essential protection for customer devices. Kaspersky’s track record in the Philippines underscores its effectiveness, with the company blocking over 50,000 financial phishing attempts in 2022 alone.
Beyond its robust threat detection, the security suite offers continuous real-time protection, safeguarding devices connected to the internet around the clock. This includes scanning files, emails, and web traffic, while also actively intercepting and blocking malicious scripts. Customers can rest assured their data remains secure, even when connected to unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Additionally, the My Kaspersky website provides convenient remote management capabilities for enhanced user control.
“Our partnership with PLDT Home is a new step towards the Philippines’ cybersecurity, combining the expertise of a trusted and leading digital provider with our experience and advanced security solutions,” Kaspersky added.
On one hand, Kaspersky also has enterprise security solutions offering enterprise-grade cybersecurity solutions to businesses. These solutions include endpoint protection, threat intelligence, and security awareness training, all designed to enhance the security posture of organizations and protect them from cyber threats. On the other hand, PLDT already has a one-stop solution providing multi-level network protection for ePLDT Cloud and VITRO co-located servers.
The PLDT Home-Kaspersky cooperation aligns with the Philippine government’s efforts to strengthen cybersecurity and protect critical infrastructure from cyberattacks. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has been actively promoting cybersecurity awareness and collaborating with private sector partners to enhance the nation’s cyber defenses.
