Smart Communications is emphasizing the importance of collaboration in strengthening the fight against cybersecurity threats in the Philippine telco sector.
Speaking at a forum organized by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), Smart Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs Atty. Roy D. Ibay highlighted the need for sharing best practices and threat intelligence in real time to protect customers from malicious activities such as scam links and phishing attempts.
“Cybersecurity is an ongoing battle that requires a collective effort. Smart remains committed to working closely with regulators, industry partners, and customers to build a more secure and resilient digital ecosystem,” Ibay said.
The ARTA-led forum, themed “Securing our Connectivity: Fortifying the PH Telecommunications Sector,” brought together representatives from government agencies, mobile network operators, independent tower companies, and other industry stakeholders.
During his presentation, Ibay discussed the cybersecurity challenges faced by Smart and the proactive measures being taken to address these threats. He mentioned issues like network vulnerabilities from new technologies, IoT security gaps, malicious apps, ransomware, and the rise of AI-powered cyberattacks.
“With vast amounts of sensitive user data at stake, there is a need for continuous adaptation of security measures to protect privacy and prevent breaches,” Ibay added.
The forum also saw the launch of a primer on Executive Order No. 32 (EO 32), which simplifies the permitting process for rolling out telco infrastructure. The primer provides a step-by-step guide to permit applications, ensuring fast and transparent deployment of network infrastructure.
“With this primer as our guide, we can move forward towards a Bagong Pilipinas that is connected, digitalized and progressive,” said ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez. “We would like to encourage local government units and national government agencies that have yet to comply with the requirements of EO 32 to do so as soon as possible. After all, we have our President and the law on our side.”
Since 2019, Smart and its parent company PLDT have worked with government agencies, local government units, and industry stakeholders to streamline the permitting process for telco infrastructure deployment.
