A message that appears to come from the boss. A familiar voice asking for sensitive information. A video convincing enough to pass for the real thing.
As artificial intelligence makes digital deception harder to detect, PLDT Enterprise is helping businesses, government agencies, and academic institutions strengthen a critical layer of cybersecurity—the people who encounter these threats every day.
Through a series of engagements during Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, the company brought discussions on AI-powered fraud, deepfake impersonation, phishing, and digital resilience to audiences across the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region.
The initiatives emphasized a shared responsibility: protecting an organization requires employees and leaders who can recognize suspicious activity, verify unusual requests, and act before a threat escalates.
“Cybersecurity today goes beyond protecting networks and systems. It is also about protecting people and helping them make informed decisions in an increasingly complex digital environment. As AI makes cyber threats more sophisticated and convincing, building awareness across every level of an organization becomes essential to strengthening resilience,” said Alexis C. Bernardino, Principal CXO Advisor and Field CISO at PLDT Enterprise.
On October 6, Bernardino led a Digital and Cyber Resilience briefing for Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines (CCEAP) at its Uptown Eastgate Tower 1 office.
The session examined emerging threats, including executive impersonation and AI-powered attacks, and how cybercriminals exploit trust to gain access to accounts, sensitive information, and business systems. It also explored the wider consequences of these incidents, from operational disruption to reputational damage.
“As our operations become increasingly connected, we recognize that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that extends beyond our IT teams. Equipping our people with the knowledge to recognize and respond to emerging digital threats is an important part of protecting our business and the trust placed in us. Through initiatives like this with PLDT Enterprise, we are helping make cybersecurity awareness a practical part of how our people work every day,” said Winnie T. Rebancos, CCEAP Chief Information Officer.
PLDT Enterprise extended the discussions to future military leaders through a Cyber Awareness Workshop at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City on October 21.
The workshop addressed risks in military and academic environments, including social engineering, deepfake impersonation, phishing, and threats involving personal accounts and digital devices.
Participants were encouraged to adopt practical safeguards: verify unusual requests through trusted channels, protect login credentials, examine suspicious communications, and promptly report potential incidents.
The company also conducted Digital and Cyber Resilience Workshops for senior officials and leaders of the Department of National Defense, the Philippine Army, and the Philippine National Police.
Led by Bernardino, these sessions examined how attackers can exploit the authority of government officials and public confidence in institutions to make fraudulent requests appear credible.
Discussions focused on protecting sensitive information, verifying communications, and reporting threats promptly—habits that support the security of government operations, citizen data, and public trust.
Across the engagements, PLDT Enterprise emphasized that preparing for AI adoption must include preparing people for the risks that accompany it. Synthetic voices, manipulated videos, and convincing fraudulent messages make everyday judgment an increasingly important part of organizational security.
“Building an AI-ready workplace is not simply about adopting new technologies. It is also about ensuring that people understand the risks that come with them and know how to spot, identify, and respond. When cybersecurity awareness becomes part of an organization’s culture, businesses and institutions are better positioned to embrace innovation with greater confidence and responsibility,” Bernardino said.
Beyond the Philippines, PLDT Enterprise held an online Cybersecurity Industry Practitioner session with the Institute of Data, engaging learners from New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore.
The learning community included participants associated with the University of Canterbury in New Zealand and the University of Technology Sydney in Australia. The session provided a venue for sharing industry perspectives and discussing threats that cross national and organizational boundaries.
Together, the initiatives advanced PLDT Enterprise’s push for a more proactive and adaptive approach to cybersecurity, combining technical protection with informed decisions and practical security habits.
As organizations expand their use of AI and connected technologies, the company is encouraging them to make cybersecurity awareness part of daily work—giving people the knowledge and confidence to help protect the institutions they serve.