At its Security Operations Center in Makati, PLDT and its cellular subsidiary, Smart Communications, Inc., recently hosted COMELEC officials led by Commissioner Nelson Celis to talk about the organization’s cybersecurity technology, procedures, and culture.
“PLDT and Smart recognize the critical role that we play in the Filipinos’ right of suffrage. In the past automated elections, we have provided a secure channel for critical information to pass through. We support the COMELEC in providing Filipinos with clean and honest elections,” said Angel Redoble, FVP and Chief Information Security Officer.
Angel Redoble, FVP and Chief Information Security Officer
“The Automated Election System has demonstrated its capabilities to run a secure and efficient process. As we move deeper to the digital age, we always strive to boost our capabilities to protect the Filipinos’ vote and to ensure that they continue to trust our elections,” said COMELEC Commissioner Nelson Celis.
COMELEC Commissioner Nelson Celis
The Cyber Security Operations Group of PLDT and Smart presented during the roundtable discussion the best practices that have enabled it to protect the assets and clients of the telcos from dangers and disruptive attacks. Redoble went on to describe how these tools can improve the efficiency and security of the voting process, safeguarding the credibility of the nation’s elections in the process.
The corporate division of the PLDT Group, PLDT Enterprise, also discussed current options that may be modified to meet COMELEC’s needs. While the polling organization finalizes preparations for its own facilities, the unit is eager to cooperate with the agency on data storage and management. Some of the largest companies in the country and around the world use the services offered by PLDT Enterprise.
The COMELEC has consulted with pertinent authorities on cybersecurity as it gets ready for the first National Election Summit of the year. The only telcos asked by the poll commission to take part in the pre-Summit conversations to assist the agency in developing proposals to strengthen the nation’s elections were PLDT and Smart.
Programs from PLDT and Smart to strengthen government agencies’ digital infrastructure are a part of a larger initiative to improve the quality of life for Filipinos by protecting these vital institutions against cyberattacks. These programs demonstrate the Group’s dedication to the SDGs, especially SDG No. 9 on industries, innovation, and infrastructure.
