MANILA, Philippines — As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly reshapes corporate workflows and criminal tactics alike, PLDT Enterprise is intensifying its push for cybersecurity education. Throughout Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, the B2B arm of the telecom giant spearheaded a series of strategic knowledge-sharing forums across diverse sectors.
By conducting targeted sessions for organizations like Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines (CCEAP) and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), PLDT Enterprise is successfully driving cybersecurity discussions out of specialized IT departments and directly into the daily operations of corporate executives, staff, and institutional leaders. This initiative underscores the critical role a cyber-aware workforce plays in establishing secure, resilient, and AI-optimized digital ecosystems.
Strengthening Resilience at CCEAP
On October 6, PLDT Enterprise advanced CCEAP’s cybersecurity initiatives during a dedicated Digital and Cyber Resilience briefing at the beverage firm’s corporate headquarters in Uptown Eastgate Tower 1. The session was spearheaded by Alexis C. Bernardino, Principal CXO Advisor and Field CISO at PLDT Enterprise. Bernardino guided attendees through the mechanics of emerging cyber threats, executive impersonation schemes, AI-driven cyberattacks, and the expanding parameters of corporate digital resilience.
The forum emphasized how increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics—such as highly targeted phishing scams, fraudulent messaging networks, and deepfake-powered identity theft—specifically exploit human vulnerability. Left unmanaged, these human-centric risks present severe vulnerabilities that can breach corporate databases, leak sensitive information, and cripple overall organizational reputation.
“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,” Bernardino said.
“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,” shared Winnie T. Rebancos, Chief Information Officer, Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines (CCEAP).
Empowering the Defense and Academic Sectors in Baguio
Expanding its educational outreach to the national defense and education sectors, PLDT Enterprise conducted a specialized Cyber Awareness Workshop for the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio City on October 21.
The session focused heavily on the unique digital threats faced by military and educational institutions, mapping out risks like social engineering, deepfake-powered identity theft, sophisticated phishing scams, and structural vulnerabilities tied to personal accounts and mobile devices. To combat these hazards, the briefing provided actionable protocols, instructing personnel on how to verify unconventional orders through verified channels, safeguard confidential access credentials, detect deceptive digital communications, and immediately escalate suspected breaches.
Cultivating a Digital First Line of Defense
Throughout these institutional partnerships, PLDT Enterprise highlighted a fundamental truth: in an era of rapidly evolving cyber crime, software and infrastructure solutions alone are no longer sufficient. True defense requires a comprehensive cultural shift where organizational leaders and staff are fully capable of spotting vulnerabilities, challenging abnormal inquiries, and executing proper security measures.
This human element is more critical than ever, given that modern artificial intelligence can seamlessly generate convincing text, replicate human voices, and create altered video content that mimics legitimate corporate communications. By translating these highly technical, AI-driven risks into relatable, real-world workplace scenarios, PLDT Enterprise is working to make cybersecurity intelligence highly practical and accessible across all industries.
“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 added.
Global Academic Collaboration
PLDT Enterprise recently expanded its international cybersecurity advocacy by partnering with the Institute of Data (IoD). The company hosted an online Cybersecurity Industry Practitioner session for a multinational cohort of learners from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, the University of Technology Sydney in Australia, and Singapore. This cross-border initiative cemented PLDT Enterprise’s role as a regional thought leader, proving that international knowledge sharing is vital to combatting sophisticated global digital threats.
Fortifying National Defense and Law Enforcement
On the domestic front, the company concluded its Cybersecurity Awareness Month initiatives by conducting Digital and Cyber Resilience Workshops for the Philippines’ top defense and law enforcement agencies. Attended by leadership from the Department of National Defense (DND), the Philippine Army, and the Philippine National Police (PNP), the sessions addressed modern AI-driven threats. The discussions focused on how threat actors exploit institutional trust through specific tactics, including:
• Deepfake impersonation of public officials
• Social engineering and targeted phishing scams
• AI-powered fraud aimed at government systems
The training emphasized critical defensive habits, such as strictly verifying suspicious communications, protecting sensitive state data, and establishing immediate reporting protocols to safeguard public trust.
Driving an Adaptive Cyber Strategy
These initiatives highlight PLDT Enterprise’s commitment to guiding organizations through a complex digital landscape. By addressing AI-driven vulnerabilities and championing practical security habits, the company is pushing for a strategic shift from reactive defense to an adaptive, human-centric cybersecurity approach. PLDT Enterprise remains dedicated to equipping businesses and public institutions with the awareness and preparedness required to thrive in a secure, AI-ready future.
