Cybersecurity is an ongoing battle of defense, where understanding the adversary is just as vital as understanding oneself. The ever-evolving technology supercharged by artificial intelligence (AI) makes this a daunting task. The BusinessWorld Cybersecurity Summit addressed this challenge with the theme “Toward Stronger Digital Defenses,” an urgent call to reevaluate the nation’s protections against cyber threats.
The summit opened with a discussion emphasizing the importance of a united front against AI-powered cyberattacks and protecting the nation’s digital economy. The Philippines is home to millions of businesses, with micro, small, and medium enterprises making up 99% of all businesses in the country. These enterprises are continuing their digital transformation, making cybersecurity a technical safeguard that enables economic growth, innovation, and public confidence.
Atty. Renato “Aboy” A. Paraiso, executive director of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), highlighted the need to transition from pure prevention to holistic cyber resilience. While traditional cybersecurity aims to stop attacks and mitigate risks, resilience ensures that organizations can maintain operational continuity and minimize damage when attacks breach their defenses.
The summit’s first panel discussion examined developments in regulatory frameworks, national security policies, and operational execution worldwide. Gilbert T. Trinchera, technology consulting partner at R.G. Manabat & Co., argued that organizations must look beyond checking off compliance items and focus on risk management and regulatory convergence across jurisdictions.
The second panel turned the focus toward leadership during high-stakes security incidents. Dennis Matthew F. Opiso, chief information security officer (CISO) at JG Summit Holdings, Inc., stressed that crisis command is a leadership discipline, not a technical one. Engr. Luis A. Jacinto, president and founding member of the Information Security Officers Group, emphasized that ultimate accountability rests with top leadership.
The third panel dove deep into the technical and human controls required to safeguard organizations today. Catherine Anne Paleracio, CISO at Tonik, noted that security controls must act as business enablers rather than operational barriers, and such controls must utilize AI. An organization’s defense is only as strong as its weakest link, and oftentimes those links are its own people.
The summit’s fourth panel explored “Cybersecurity as a Business Enabler: Leveraging Security for Growth,” discussing how security drives enterprise valuation and market confidence. Alexis Bernardino, principal CXO advisor and head of CXO Advisory at PLDT Enterprise, shared how cybersecurity has evolved from simply being a revenue-protection measure into something that ensures business continuity.
Closing the summit, Cybersecurity Council of the Philippines Chairman Dr. Donald Lim delivered a keynote calling for a safer digital nation. He argued that technology and policy alone cannot secure the country without leaders who prioritize trust, preparedness, and collaboration. In today’s economy, trust is more valuable than data. People only transact when they trust, and businesses only innovate when customers believe their privacy is respected.
