PLDT, Smart enlist cybersecurity warriors to ward off online threats

PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are boosting the country’s cyber defenses with the help of students and the youth. In celebration of the national Cybersecurity Awareness Month this September, Smart kicked off the CyberSmart online caravan series in Luzon. 

Working with UNICEF, International Justice Mission (IJM), Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), Google, Microsoft, University of the Philippines Open University, Kids for Kids, Youth for Mental Health Coalition, Mindanao Gold Star Daily, InnoPub Media and Tech Sabado, the CyberSmart online caravan aims to raise a generation of cyber warriors who can identify online threats and integrate cybersecurity in their everyday lives. 

“PLDT and Smart are embracing the mission to provide digital innovations that empower Filipinos to live smarter for a better world! We are committed to help customers fortify their cyber defenses and ward off cyber attacks,” said Melvin Consunji Nubla, VP and Head of Go To Market and Subscriber Management. 

“We should not lower our guard to prevent risks and harms due to cyber and privacy threats that are becoming more real as we become more digital,” reminded Raymund Liboro, National Privacy Commissioner. 

Participants, now called recruits, are led into the virtual headquarters of the CyberSmart CyberSecurity Investigation Agency (CSIA). They are met by a virtual guide who will explain the boot camp, as well as the different sections of the CSIA. 

After the orientation, recruits enter the briefing room where they learn about different online threats from the CSIA’s top cybersecurity experts and embark on different missions that test their knowledge. 

With many Filipinos working and studying at home, CSIA experts share tips on how to address your home network’s vulnerabilities. The segment includes modules on safe web browsing, cloud storage and securing your remote learning and working stations. 

Recruits also learn about creating safer and smarter spaces for kids and the youth in another segment. They are likewise trained how to spot deep fake news, as well as the responsible use of social media. 

Data is the new oil. Hackers infiltrate defenses to steal personal information and sell them in the dark web where they can be used in criminal activities. The final segment exposes future cybersecurity warriors to online skimming, phishing and data protection. 

“Remember, it is only when we adopt a culture that integrates cybersecurity into our daily lives can we defend ourselves against hackers and villains who employ sophisticated tactics to steal what the digital world values the most – information,” reinforced John Y. Palanca, Smart FVP and Luzon Regional Head for Consumer Sales Group. 

The CyberSmart online caravan will also hold runs for students and teachers in Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao. The general public can sign up to join the CyberSmart CyberSecurity Investigation Agency when they attend the nationwide boot camps on September 28 and 30, 2021 at www.cybersmart.ph

Now on its third year, the CyberSmart Cybersecurity Caravan is a collaboration between various business units across PLDT and Smart and supported by the Department of Education and the National Privacy Commission. 

For its impact and reach, CyberSmart  was recently feted a Platinum Anvil—the highest citation given to outstanding public relations programs by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP).  

PLDT and Smart enable learning communities through technology as part of its commitment to help the nation achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #4: Quality Education.