Cybersecurity Readiness in the AI Era: Why the Philippines Can’t Afford to Fall Behind

A recent report from Cisco has delivered a sobering reality check: only 6% of organizations in the Philippines are considered truly ready to defend against today’s cybersecurity threats. While this represents a modest improvement from last year’s 1%, the broader picture remains troubling, especially as artificial intelligence becomes both a powerful security asset and a potent weapon in the hands of cybercriminals.

With 85% of Philippine organizations reporting AI-related security incidents over the past year, the risks are no longer hypothetical. Businesses are already feeling the impact. Alarmingly, less than three-quarters of surveyed leaders believe their teams fully understand the threats associated with AI, and only 59% are confident that their staff comprehend how bad actors leverage AI to launch attacks. This gap in awareness isn’t just a training issue it’s a systemic vulnerability.

AI has ushered in a new class of threats that can move faster, adapt more easily, and exploit vulnerabilities at scale. Phishing campaigns powered by generative AI, deepfake social engineering, and intelligent malware are no longer futuristic scenarios they are part of today’s threat landscape. The problem is compounded by fragmented and overly complex security infrastructures, which make it harder for defenders to respond quickly and decisively.

According to the readiness index, more than half of local companies suffered cyberattacks in the last year, with external threats from malicious and state-sponsored actors being a major concern. These incidents are not just costly they erode customer trust, disrupt operations, and expose sensitive data, often for months or even years.

Cisco’s report emphasizes a necessary pivot: organizations must reimagine their cybersecurity posture, embracing AI-driven solutions while simultaneously securing the AI technologies themselves. That means investing in simplified, integrated systems and focusing on education both for IT teams and the wider workforce.

At Directpath Global Technologies (DGT), we believe the answer lies in a proactive, intelligent, and layered defense. As a trusted Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) operating in the Philippines and Canada, we offer solutions like Mobile Threat Defense (MTD), Extended Detection and Response (XDR), Vulnerability Risk Management as a Service (VRMaaS), SOC2 readiness, WAF, VAPT, and vCISO support. Our AI Division goes a step further, tailoring cybersecurity and operational strategies to each organization’s unique risks so you’re not just reacting to threats, but staying a step ahead of them.

The AI era is here, and with it comes a level of complexity the cybersecurity field has never seen. For Philippine businesses, now is not the time for complacency. It’s the time to evolve. Source: Bilyonaryo