AI-Driven Growth Hinges on Smarter, Safer Networks Philippine Firms Must Act Fast!

A new study from Cisco reveals that nearly all large businesses in the Philippines are ramping up their IT investments, with one major goal in mind: building networks ready for artificial intelligence. According to the report, 99% of local companies are planning to allocate more of their budgets to upgrading network infrastructure in response to the growing role of AI in daily operations and more importantly, in driving future revenue.

This shift underscores a major turning point in how businesses view digital infrastructure. Once seen as backend support, the network is now recognized as a foundational asset for innovation, security, and resilience. In the Philippines, 97% of companies plan to overhaul their networks to accommodate AI, and 98% cite the need to make them more secure. More than three-quarters believe that cybersecurity is “critical,” and nearly all agree that a fortified network enhances their organization’s defense posture.

And there's good reason for this urgency. A staggering 82% of firms reported experiencing major outages from cyberattacks to system misconfigurations putting operations, data, and reputation at risk. The financial stakes are massive: Cisco estimates that a single severe disruption could result in losses reaching up to $160 billion globally. With this in mind, investing in AI-ready and secure infrastructure is not just a technology decision it’s a business survival strategy.

Despite near-universal awareness, only 56% of companies in the Philippines have begun implementing the necessary upgrades. That gap between awareness and execution could leave many organizations vulnerable just as AI adoption accelerates.

While AI is already delivering value from better customer experiences to cost efficiency and innovation these benefits can only be sustained through secure, adaptive, and scalable networks. As Cisco notes, “much of that value is at risk if it comes from infrastructure that hasn’t been designed for AI or real-time scale.”

This is where working with a capable technology partner becomes crucial. Directpath Global Technologies Inc. (DGT), a trusted Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP), supports organizations through this transition with tailored solutions including Mobile Threat Defense (MTD), Extended Detection and Response (XDR), Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), SOC2 readiness, VRMaaS, WAF, and virtual CISO services. DGT also operates an advanced Artificial Intelligence Division that enables companies to align both security and operational strategies with the growing demands of AI adoption.

As the AI race accelerates, the real winners will be those who pair innovation with infrastructure that’s ready for anything. Philippine businesses appear to understand this now it's time to act on it. Source: Manila Bulletin