DULDULAO DOT NET This Day & Beyond

Category: Technology

  • Ten Reasons Why You Should Check Out Shopee’s Lifestyle Week

    Ten Reasons Why You Should Check Out Shopee’s Lifestyle Week

    Who else wants to know the top ten (10) reasons why you should definitely check out Shopee’s Lifestyle Week?

    You can work and play smart with up to 90% off products from Home Appliances, Home and Living, Motoring, Sports and Travel, and more!

    Live your life to the fullest as Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, brings you its most-awaited sale on lifestyle products at Shopee’s Lifestyle Week! From July 23 to 29, you can expect dozens of hot deals, exclusive bundles, and discounts up to 90% off at your favorite Shopee official stores like Robinsons Appliances, Bosch Philippines, Fukuda, World Balance, Eureka Appliances, Artsy Palace, Below SRP, Tigernu Philippines, RXR, and many more!

    Here are top 10 reasons why you should definitely check out Shopee’s Lifestyle Week:

    1. Dive into Best-Selling Books and Exclusive Bundles!

    To satisfy the Kapamilya in all of us, ABS-CBN Publishing will offer exclusive deals on books from beloved celebrities like Alex Gonzaga, Charo Santos, Ramon Bautista, Richard Poon, Maricar Reyes, and many more. If you’re itching to explore different genres and authors, you’re in luck because Shopee will also offer various exclusive bundles at 20% off on Lifestyle Week.

    Visit ABS-CBN Publishing at https://shopee.ph/abscbnpublishinginc

    2. Grab Essential Power Tools for Half the Price

    Become an instant handyman with the best power tools perfect for all your home repair needs. Bosch Philippines, famed for its precise and durable power tools, will offer up to 55% off its products at Shopee’s Lifestyle Week to make you a superhero when things need fixing at home.

    Visit Bosch Philippines at https://shopee.ph/boschofficialstore

    If you’re a professional aiming to upgrade your arsenal, visit Lotus Power Tools for a wide selection of professional tools for tradesmen, contractors, and Do-It-Yourself experts. Going at up to 20% off, Lotus Power Tools gives you plenty of reason to hunt for new equipment and perfect your craft.

    Visit Lotus Power Tools at https://shopee.ph/lotustoolsphilippines

    3. Incredible deals for Kitchen Appliances, Cooling Equipment and Garment Care

    Aside from power tools, users seeking to level up their household should dash to Robinsons Appliances, Philippines’ second largest multi-format retail chain who will offer up to 40% off a wide choice of home appliances.

    Visit Robinsons Appliances at https://shopee.ph/robinsonsappliances

    4. School, Work, and Travel Backpacks Up For Grabs

    How do you choose the best backpack for your next adventure? Tigernu backpacks save you the headache because they are perfect for school, work, or casual travel. With their multiple compartments, Tigernu backpacks let you organise your belongings neatly without lowering comfort and style. Tigernu is also loved for its anti-theft backpacks, which features unique two-way zippers that increases durability. If you’ve been pining for the perfect backpack, pamper yourself with up to 67% off Tigernu backpacks at Shopee’s Lifestyle Week.

    Visit Tigernu at https://shopee.ph/tigernuphilippines

    5. Half Price Off on High-quality Tires

    One of the most important things to have this rainy season is a reliable set of tires, which will not only keep you safe but also bring your driving experience to the next level. Philippine Tires is offering up to 50% off on tires from top manufacturers like Thunderer and Goodyear. To sweeten the deal for Shopee users, Philippine Tires will offer pick-up, mounting and balancing for tires, and free installation for batteries during Shopee’s Lifestyle Week. Talk about a slick deal!

    Visit Philippine Tires at https://shopee.ph/philippinetires

    6. Huge discounts on Refrigerators, Aircons, and Home Appliances

    At Shopee’s Lifestyle Week, make your home a haven as Western Appliances promises up to 30% off various home and kitchen tools, entertainment systems, and other premium electronics. If you want to improve your quality of life at home without hurting your wallet, check out Western Appliances’ official store from July 23 to 29 to make your life simpler and stress-free.

    Visit Western Appliances at https://shopee.ph/western_appliances

    7. Shop your Home Essentials and Maximize your space at a Low Price

    To complete your home makeover, Shopee’s Lifestyle Week has you covered with its diverse assortment of kitchenware, storage tools, decorations, and even essential oils. Below SRP will offer up to 70% off dozens of household products, including coveted items from Swedish furniture giant IKEA, so now’s the best time to snag some home upgrades at affordable prices.

    Visit Below SRP at https://shopee.ph/belowsrp

    8. Exclusive deals on Art Tools and Calligraphy Pens

    Find the sweetest deals to boost your calligraphy skills, get crafty using multi-colored pens, and arm yourself with nifty crafting supplies during Shopee’s Lifestyle Week. Artsy Palace is offering up to 60% discounts on stationery from brands like Pilot, Sharpie, Artline, and Faber Castell, and many more. It’s time to unleash your inner artist!

    Visit Artsy Palace at https://shopee.ph/artsy_palace

    9. Boost Your Performance with Storewide Sales on Athletic Wear

    Whether you’re going to the gym or just exercising at home, you usually train better when looking your best. World Balance, a homegrown brand known for their active footwear, will be offering up to 57% off storewide at Shopee’s Lifestyle Week. Time to look good while working out!

    Visit World Balance at https://shopee.ph/chgglobal

    After getting your kicks in order, shop for breathable and stylish athletic wear from Sletic Sports. Offering 20% off storewide on diverse items including dri-fit tees to flexible leggings, it’s high time for you to get your #fitspo on.

    Visit Sletic Sports at https://shopee.ph/mikesunshine

    10. Massive discounts on Customized Canvas Prints

    Make your photographed moments unforgettable by turning them into lasting and personalised coffee-table books or portraits sure to be a conversation starter in any gathering. PhotobooksPH is offering up to 80% off their printed photo products including Canvas Prints and Imagewrap Hardcovers, so immortalise your precious memories at a fraction of the price from July 23 to 29.

    Visit PhotobookPH at https://shopee.ph/photobook_philippines

    Need another reason to shop at Shopee’s Lifestyle Week? From July 23 to 29, Shopee will also give P100 off with P1,000 minimum spend for the Home & Living, Home Appliances, Sports & Travel, Motoring, Hobbies & Stationery categories to the first 1,000 users who use the voucher code LIFESTYLEWEEK100.

    Check out Shopee’s Lifestyle Week from July 23 to 29 for more exciting deals, bundles, and promotions from other big brands. Shopping has never been this fun. For more information about Shopee’s Lifestyle Week, visit https://shopee.ph/lifestyleweek

    For more information, visit https://shopee.ph/.

    Download the Shopee app for free on Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

    About Shopee

    Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It is a platform tailored for the region, providing customers with an easy, secure and fast online shopping experience through strong payment and logistical support. Shopee aims to continually enhance its platform and become the region’s e-commerce destination of choice.

    Shopee has a wide choice of product categories ranging from consumer electronics to home & living, health & beauty, baby & toys, fashion and fitness equipment.

    Shopee, a Sea company, was first launched in Singapore in 2015, and has since expanded its reach to Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Sea is a leader in digital entertainment, e-commerce and digital financial services across Greater Southeast Asia. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology, and is listed on the NYSE under the symbol SE.

    For more information, please contact:

    Erin Tagudin
    Public Relations Manager
    Contact: 09178457508
    Email: erin.tagudin@shopee.com

  • Score the Nintendo Switch, Oppo F7, and HD TVs at Shopee’s July Orange Day Campaign

    Score the Nintendo Switch, Oppo F7, and HD TVs at Shopee’s July Orange Day Campaign

    Shopee celebrates Orange Day from July 13 to 15 with a bumper flash sale, featuring up to 90% discounts on various products and free shipping for 24 hours

    To celebrate its monthly Orange Day campaign, Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches the Flash 7 on July 13 with seven flash deals instead of the usual three a day. Featuring massive limited-time discounts on premium products such as the Nintendo Switch and Smart TVs, the campaign will also include a diverse array of products from various categories like Electronics, Home Appliances, and Mobiles and Gadgets.

    Here are seven must-have items up for grabs in Shopee’s Orange Day Sale:

    1. Sharp AQUOS 32 Inches LED TV

    With Sharp’s AQUOS 32” LE185M LED TV, you can dive right into your favourite movies and TV shows. With advanced image processing, a crisp HD display, and top-notch LED technology, the Sharp AQUOS 32” LED185M LED TV promises an immersive entertainment experience for only P7,699. 

    Purchase the Sharp AQUOS 32” LE185M LED TV

    1. Nintendo Switch with Gray Joy-Cons (Comes with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Game)

    The first home gaming console capable of transforming into a portable gaming device, it’s no wonder why the Nintendo Switch is on everybody’s wishlist in 2018. If you’re someone who’s  always out and about, Shopee’s Orange Day Sale is the sign you need to get your hands on a Switch for only P17,999!

    Purchase the Nintendo Switch with Gray Joy-Con

    1. Toshiba 32 Inches LED HD TV

    Upgrade your home entertainment system with the latest Toshiba 32” LED TV and bring your stay-home nights to the next level. With a display able to support viewing angles up to 178 degrees, you won’t miss any of the onscreen action no matter where you sit. Pamper yourself with a supreme entertainment experience for only P7,499 during Shopee’s Orange Day Sale.

    Purchase the Toshiba 32″ LED TV 32S1710EV HD D-LED TV

    1. Oppo F7 (with Free Bluetooth Music Lamp)

    Besides the coolest gaming consoles and crystal-clear TVs, Shopee’s Orange Day Sale also features the all-new Oppo F7 for shoppers itching for a new phone. Packing an ultra-HD camera mode and stocked with the latest specs, it is sure to place you at the centre of attention among your friends and family. To sweeten an already awesome deal, buy the Oppo 7 at Shopee’s Orange Day Sale for P17,999 and receive a Bluetooth music lamp for free!

    Purchase the Oppo F7 

    1. JBL Charge 3 Speaker

    Discover the all-new wireless JBL Charge 3 you can carry anywhere to savour your favourite tunes. Packing a powerful stereo and a durable build with waterproof fabrics, the JBL Charge 3 delivers a satisfying audio experience in different vibrant colours. Get it now for only P5,999!

    Purchase the JBL Charge 3

    1. KitchenAid Food Chopper

    Cooking has never been easier with the KitchenAid Food Chopper. For only P2,495, you can now quickly chop or puree ingredients from your favorite recipes. It is convenient for everyday use in the kitchen and will surely be one of your favorite household items.

    Purchase the KitchenAid Food Chopper

    1. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Sakura Special Kit Instant Camera

    What makes the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Sakura Special Kit Instant Camera special is its close-up lens attachment, which allows you to shoot your subject from up to 35cm away. It also automatically detects the best brightness levels for a shot, making it easier when taking photos in different environments. With its suite of smart functions, the Fujifilm Instax Mini at P3,779 is the perfect weapon for both expert photographers or just casual shooters looking for a versatile polaroid camera. 

    Purchase the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Sakura Special Kit Instant Camera

    Aside from a wave of flash deals on July 13, Shopee’s Orange Day celebration from July 13 to 15 promises tons of other attractive promotions, such as two-for-one deals, vouchers offering up to 150 pesos off, and curated category collections featuring up to 90% discounts on items. 

    For more information about the Orange Day Sale, visit http://shopee.ph/OrangeDayJuly
    Download the Shopee app for free on Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

    Erin Tagudin
    Public Relations Manager
    Contact: 09178457508
    Email: erin.tagudin@shopee.com

  • Cybersecurity in APAC: The art of simplicity and being on the right side of history

    Cybersecurity in APAC: The art of simplicity and being on the right side of history

    Michael Montoya, Chief Cybersecurity Officer, Microsoft Asia

    We all have “a-ha” moments when that lightbulb above our heads is just too bright to ignore. One came to me when I was in a previous IT operations role.  It happened on a day when I had two meetings: first with an endpoint agent team and another with a security operations team.

    The endpoint team gave me detailed guidance on the possible performance degradation and alerts we could expect from another agent we were placing on user devices in the pursuit of greater security. Later, the security operations team asked for more resources to address an increasing number of incoming alerts caused by our large security footprint.

    The irony raised by these back-to-back meetings struck me, and so I asked myself: “How many security tools do we have to protect our environment?”

    Finding the answer was not as simple as I had hoped. But when I was eventually told the approximate number, it was clear to me that we had a problem – and I was part of that problem. People like me have been in the industry long enough to have dealt with server sprawl and application sprawl. Now, we were witnessing security sprawl.

    It seems very logical in this world of rapid digital transformation – where businesses and organizations face constant and evolving digital threats – to deploy as many defenses as possible to ward off cyberattacks. The more barriers in place, the more protected you are, right?

    Well, I don’t believe I am alone when I say that it is a logical fallacy to think that having more security tools means better security. In fact, they could have the opposite effect, according to new research by IT analyst firm, Frost & Sullivan.

    “Understanding the Cybersecurity Threat Landscape in Asia Pacific: Securing the Modern Enterprise in a Digital World” surveyed 1,300 respondents from 13 countries. This Microsoft-commissioned study drilled down into how organizations in our region view, approach, and practice cybersecurity.

    One facet of the Study examined the experiences of organizations with different levels of security in place. What it found might, at first glance, seem counter-intuitive: Those that had gone to a lot of expense and trouble to put a wide array of security measures in place often encountered more security incidents than those with fewer defenses.

    Moreover, they often took longer to recover from attacks. Of the surveyed organizations set up with more than 50 cybersecurity solutions, only 23% said they had been able to bounce back within an hour of a breach. For the organizations with less than 10 cybersecurity solutions, the figure was 40%.

    The truth of the matter is simple: The number of security solutions you have won’t necessarily guarantee the safety of your data or protect your business reputation. The reasons can vary, but often over-complicated layers of complexity can make cybersecurity issues too hard for some companies to handle effectively.

    Organizations with a multitude of deployed security solutions can find it difficult and expensive to have full visibility across all environments. And, that leads to ineffective detection and response. It can also result in a “passive defense posture” where complexity replaces agility and effectiveness. In an ocean of alerts, which can easily overwhelm us, we risk not taking fundamental security measures – such as basic cyber resilience among employees, patch updates, poor password management, and movement of files to insecure thumbdrives.

    These are just a few of the things that can open the door to threats, including the four this Study identified as being high-impact in Asia Pacific:

    • fraudulent wire transfers;
    • data corruption;
    • online brand impersonation, which is when a cyber fraudster creates a bogus webpage or a social media account, either to harm your brand or simply to gain the confidence of your trusting customers;
    • and data exfiltration, whereby cybercriminals use various malicious ways to copy, transfer, or retrieve data from computers or servers.

    Most of the Study’s respondents knew about the dangers out there and regarded them as real threats – with 59% saying cybercrime threats had hindered them on their digital transformation journeys. But it is problematic to learn what many were doing, or not doing, to manage the risks and why.

    Firstly, let’s look at the reasons why the organizations surveyed thought it was a good idea to have a cybersecurity strategy in place. Only 20% regarded cybersecurity as a powerful enabler of digital transformation and the key to future business growth and success. In contrast, 41% simply cited traditional and tactical reasons, like protection from attacks and differentiating themselves from their competitors.

    Most also said that when it came to creating new projects, security issues were usually considered after – not before – launch.

    In this regard, the Study supports an uncomfortable notion that many of us know to be true: Many business decision-makers in our region still cling to outmoded ways of managing risks, and this is leaving them ill-informed and unprepared for mounting cybersecurity challenges that can ultimately erode their growth prospects.

    Digital transformation has made the need for safe and trusted technology a front-and-center factor for business success. But too many organizations still regard security as an add-on, or even an afterthought. Some businesses resist the need to tackle security issues – even as cybercriminals become more sophisticated and as traditional IT boundaries disappear with new devices, apps, and data entering the workplace.

    To succeed and thrive as digital enterprises in the years to come, organizations must make security part of the natural flow of their business processes and cycles. And, to ensure security, privacy, and compliance, the protection of company data requires a new approach.

    That is why Microsoft has a platform that looks holistically across all the critical end-points of today’s cloud and mobile world. It acts on the intelligence that comes from our security-related global threat monitoring and insights. And, we have a vibrant ecosystem of partners who help us raise the bar across the industry – helping to securely enable our customers’ digital transformations.

    Finally, there is the need for cultural change. The boards of too many companies still pick up most of their information about what is happening in cyber from what they read in the media. That’s just not detailed enough to inform them of their specific risks and the mitigation strategies they should be supporting. Increasing the dialogue on this topic amongst board members and IT executives is critical for businesses to thrive in the era of digital transformation and the inevitable consequences of cyberattacks.

    The value proposition of cyber defense is changing. Traditionally, it has been regarded as a cost. Now it should be seen as an asset, simply because customers are demanding a level of security and trust. The more companies digitize, and the more an economy becomes digitally led, the more cybersecurity becomes a business enabler.

    As security professionals, our jobs continue to get more complicated and vital to our company’s survival. Use this study as a reminder to ask you yourself two questions: How many security tools do I have to protect my company? And, what role should security play in my company’s digital transformation?


    As Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella so eloquently states: “right now Microsoft is probably on the right side of history”. Well, I believe we security and IT professionals are also on the right side of history.

    Catherine Llanes
    Media Relations Manager
    m: +63 917 5820573
    t: +632 332 1031 loc. 108
    http://www.m2comms.com/

  • 5 Ways AI Is Building A Better, Brighter Future For Asia

    5 Ways AI Is Building A Better, Brighter Future For Asia

    All across Asia, a hotly-debated topic amongst business leaders, government policymakers, academics and industry experts is the potential impact that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will have on society.

    Understandably, some take a cautious view when it comes to AI development, sometimes painting a grim, dystopic future where large swathes of the population are rendered jobless, access to AI is not evenly distributed amongst citizens, and privacy and civil liberties are increasingly under threat from AI’s insatiable need for data.

    There is no denying that AI will present a new set of societal challenges that will need to be navigated thoughtfully and carefully and, in particular, it will be critical for all organizations to build trust in AI amongst their customers and stakeholders.

    However, these concerns should not overshadow the enormous potential that AI offers society.

    Here are five key areas where AI has created remarkable developments and improvements in Asia.

    1. Accessibility

    Asia-Pacific is currently home to 690 million people with disabilities. AI can help people with vision, hearing, cognitive, learning, and mobility disabilities perform daily tasks more independently, lead a richer, more productive life and participate more fully in society.

    For example, Seeing AI is a free app that leverages AI capabilities to identify a broad range of visual cues – including faces, emotions and handwriting. That data is then converted into audio descriptions for the visually-impaired. This enables the 285 million people in the world with low vision to better navigate their day, making the visual world more accessible.

    Seeing AI app turns the visual world into an audible experience for the low vision community.
    1. Agriculture

    Today, Asia is the world’s most populous region with more than 4.5 billion inhabitants, approximately 60% of the global population, and this number is forecasted to grow to over 5 billion by 2030. This will put incredible strain on the region’s already-challenged food supply chains unless farmers can find new ways to keep up with demand, such as leveraging AI and analytics to greatly improve their yields.

    In India, Microsoft has partnered with a non-profit organization, International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), to develop an AI Sowing App that sends advisories to farmers on the optimal date to sow their crops, based on weather conditions, soil, and other indicators.

    The solution predicts the optimal sowing period by using AI to analyze 30 years of historic climate data and calculate the adequacy of rainfall and soil moisture using real-time data and weather forecasting models. In addition, the program does not require farmers to incur capital expenditure, such as installing sensors in their fields, making this optimal for emerging markets.

    1. Climate Change

    One of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century is the changing climate, and how it threatens human health, infrastructure, and natural systems. A leading cause of climate change is carbon emissions.

    Microsoft is embracing the responsibility to operate sustainably and reduce the environmental impact of its business. One of the ways it doe this is by enlisting AI’s help to manage the operations and infrastructure of our data centers. As a result, less electricity is needed to fuel data centers’ computing and cooling requirements. In fact, cloud services are 93% more energy efficient and up to 98% more carbon efficient than traditional enterprise data centers.

    AI technologies are also being applied beyond the data center to improve the energy efficiency of entire buildings. In Singapore, approximately one-third of the nation’s electricity is consumed by buildings. JTC, a government agency responsible for the developing the nation’s industrial infrastructure, is taking a proactive approach to address this voracious demand for electricity by centralizing its operations on the Microsoft Cloud to monitor, analyze and optimize its buildings. Using sensor data and AI-driven analytics, JTC can now identify and rectify faults before breakdowns occur through a predictive model, resulting in a 15 percent drop in energy cost avoidance.

    1. Education

    Education is one of the building blocks for creating a better future, and AI is being leveraged to enhance the education experience for students and improve outcomes in schools.

    In Andhra Pradesh, a state in southern India, Microsoft is partnering with the government to launch a new app that predicts which students are most likely to drop out of school. Powered by machine learning, AI capabilities, and the cloud, this solution processes complex data sets that include enrolment information, student performance, gender and socio-economic demographics, school infrastructure, and teacher skills, to look for predictive patterns.

    This enables administrators and educators to intervene early and target the most at-risk students with programs and counseling to prevent dropouts. The app is already being used successfully by more than 10,000 schools in Andhra Pradesh, covering more than five million students in 2017.

    With the help of AI, more students can complete their education and graduate as employable new workers who will help grow the future economy.

    With the help of AI, more students can complete their education and graduate as employable new workers who will help grow the future economy.

    1. Healthcare

    Lastly, AI technology has the potential to assist healthcare providers in their quest to tackle some of the most prevalent diseases we face today, as well as improve the quality of life for Asia’s growing population.

    In India, Microsoft is collaborating with one of the largest health organizations in the country, Apollo Hospitals, to develop anAI-focused network aimed at tackling cardiovascular disease, which contributes to nearly one-third of deaths worldwide. In India alone, nearly three million heart attacks happen annually, and it is estimated that 30 million Indians suffer from coronary disease.

    By bringing together Microsoft’s AI expertise and Apollo Hospitals’ experience and knowledge in the field of cardiology, this partnership aims to develop new machine learning models to predict patient risk for heart diseases and assists doctors with treatment plans.

    These are just some of the amazing benefits that AI is bringing to society, though it’s clear that it is still in a nascent stage of its development. The story of AI is still unfolding, and future chapters will be supported by positive, impactful anecdotes. After all, with AI, we are not just amplifying human ingenuity, but the qualities that make us human: Our caring. Our curiosity. Our collective desire to create a better tomorrow.

    Catherine Llanes

    Media Relations Manager

    m: +63 917 5820573

    t: +632 332 1031 loc. 108

    http://www.m2comms.com/

  • Cybersecurity Threats To Cost Organizations In The Philippines US$3.5 Billion In Economic Losses

    Cybersecurity Threats To Cost Organizations In The Philippines US$3.5 Billion In Economic Losses

    Microsoft and Frost & Sullivan Study reveals that:

    • A large-sized organization in the Philippines can possibly incur an economic loss of US$7.5 million, more than 200 times the average economic loss for a mid-sized organization
    • Cybersecurity attacks have led to job losses in seven in ten (72%) organizations over the last year
    • Cybersecurity concerns delay Digital Transformation plans
    • Organizations are increasingly leveraging Artificial Intelligence to enhance their cybersecurity strategy

    A Frost & Sullivan study commissioned by Microsoft revealed that the potential economic loss in the Philippines due to cybersecurity incidents can hit a staggering US$3.5 billion. This is 1.1 percent of the Philippines’ total GDP of US$305 billion.

    The study, titled “Understanding the Cybersecurity Threat Landscape in Asia Pacific: Securing the Modern Enterprise in a Digital World”, aims to provide business and IT decision makers with insights on the economic cost of cybersecurity breaches in the region and identify the gaps in organizations’ cybersecurity strategies. The study involved a survey of 1,300 business and IT decision makers ranging from mid-sized organizations (250 to 499 employees) to large-sized organizations (>than 500 employees).

    The study reveals that more than half of the organizations surveyed in the Philippines have either experienced a cybersecurity incident (18%) or are not sure if they had one as they have not performed proper forensics or data breach assessment (34%).

    “As companies embrace the opportunities presented by cloud and mobile computing to connect with customers and optimize operations, they take on new risks,” said Hans Bayaborda, Managing Director, Microsoft Philippines. “With traditional IT boundaries disappearing the adversaries now have many new targets to attack.

    Companies face the risk of significant financial loss, damage to customer satisfaction and market reputation — as has been made all too clear by recent high-profile breaches.”

    The True Cost of Cybersecurity Incidents – Economic, Opportunity and Job Losses.

    The study revealed that:

    • A large-sized organization in the Philippines can possibly incur an economic loss of US$7.5 million, more than 200 times higher than the average economic loss for a mid-sized organization (US$35,000); and
    • Cybersecurity attacks have resulted in job losses across different functions in seven in ten (72%) organizations that have experienced an incident over the last 12 months.

    To calculate the cost of cybercrime, Frost & Sullivan has created an economic loss model based on macro-economic data and insights shared by the survey respondents. This model factors in three kinds of losses which could be incurred due to a cybersecurity breach:

    • Direct: Financial losses associated with a cybersecurity incident – this includes loss of productivity, fines, remediation cost, etc;
    • Indirect: The opportunity cost to the organization such as customer churn due to reputation loss; and
    • Induced: The impact of cyber breach to the broader ecosystem and economy, such as the decrease in consumer and enterprise spending.

    “Although the direct losses from cybersecurity breaches are most visible, they are but just the tip of the iceberg,” said Edison Yu, Vice President and Asia Pacific Head of Enterprise for Frost & Sullivan. “There are many other hidden losses that we have to consider from both the indirect and induced perspectives, and the economic loss for organizations suffering from cybersecurity attacks can be often underestimated.”

    In addition to financial losses, cybersecurity incidents are also undermining the Philippines organizations’ ability to capture future opportunities in today’s digital economy, with more than half (57%) respondents stating that their enterprise has put off digital transformation efforts due to the fear of cyber-risks.

    Key Cyberthreats and Gaps in the Philippines Organizations’ Cybersecurity Strategies

    Although high-profile cyberattacks, such as ransomware, have been garnering a lot of attention from enterprises, the study found that for organizations in the Philippines that have encountered cybersecurity incidents, data exfiltration and data corruption are the biggest concern as they have the highest impact with the slowest recovery time.

    Besides external threats, the research also revealed key gaps in organizations’ cybersecurity approach to protect their digital estate:

    • Security an afterthought: Only 44% of organizations consider cybersecurity before the start of a digital transformation project. Majority of respondents (56%) either think about cybersecurity only after they start on the project or do not consider it at all. This limits their ability to conceptualize and deliver a “secure-by-design” project, potentially leading to insecure products going out into the market;
    • Creating a Complex Environment: Negating the popular belief that deploying a large portfolio of cybersecurity solutions will render stronger protection, the survey revealed that 17% of respondents with more than 50 cybersecurity solutions could recover from cyberattacks within an hour. In contrast, more than twice as many respondents (38%) with fewer than 10 cybersecurity solutions responded that they can recover from cyberattacks within an hour; and
    • Lacking cybersecurity strategy: While more and more organizations are considering digital transformation to gain competitive advantage, the study has shown that 46% of respondents see cybersecurity strategy only as a means to safeguard the organization against cyberattacks rather than a strategic business enabler. A mere 25% of organizations see cybersecurity strategy as a digital transformation enabler.

    “The ever-changing threat environment is challenging, but there are ways to be more effective using the right blend of modern technology, strategy, and expertise,” added Hans. “Microsoft is empowering businesses in the Philippines to take advantage of digital transformation by enabling them to embrace the technology that’s available to them, securely through its secure platform of products and services, combined with unique intelligence and broad industry partnerships.”

    Artifical Intelligence (AI) is the Next Frontier in Cybersecurity Defense

    In a digital world where cyberthreats are constantly evolving and attack surface is rapidly expanding, AI is becoming a potent opponent against cyberattacks as it can detect and act on threat vectors based on data insights. The study reveals that more than almost four in five (79%) organizations in the Philippines have either adopted or are looking to adopt an AI approach towards boosting cybersecurity.

    AI’s ability to rapidly analyze and respond to unprecedented quantities of data is becoming indispensable in a world where cyberattacks’ frequency, scale and sophistication continue to increase.

    An AI-driven cybersecurity architecture will be more intelligent and be equipped with predictive abilities to allow organizations to fix or strengthen their security posture before problems emerge. It will also grant companies with the capabilities to accomplish tasks, such as identifying cyberattacks, removal of persistent threats and fixing bugs, faster than any human could, making it an increasingly vital element of any organizations’ cybersecurity strategy.

    Recommendations for securing the modern enterprise in a digital world

    AI is but one of the many aspects that organizations need to incorporate or adhere to in order to maintain a robust cybersecurity posture. For a cybersecurity practice to be successful, organizations need to consider People, Process and Technology, and how each of these contributes to the overall security posture of the organization.

    To help organizations better withstand and respond to cyberattacks and malware infections, here are five best practices that they can consider in improving their defense against cybersecurity threats:

    • Position cybersecurity as a digital transformation enabler: Disconnect between cybersecurity practices and digital transformation effort creates a lot of frustration for the employees. Cybersecurity is a requirement for digital transformation to guide and keep the company safe through its journey. Conversely, digital transformation presents an opportunity for cybersecurity practices to abandon aging practices to embrace new methods of addressing today’s risks;
    • Continue to invest in strengthening your security fundamentals: Over 90% of cyber incidents can be averted by maintaining the most basic best practices.  Maintaining strong passwords, conditional use of multi-factor authentication against suspicious authentications, keeping device operating systems, software and anti-malware protection up-to-date and genuine can rapidly raise the bar against cyberattacks. This should include not just tool-sets but also training and policies to support a stronger fundamental;
    • Maximize skills and tools by leveraging integrated best-of-suite tools. The best tools are useless in the hands of the amateur. Reduce the number of tools and the complexity of your security operations to allow your operators to hone their proficiency with the available tools. Prioritizing best-of-suite tools is a great way to maximize your risk coverage without the risk of introducing too many tools and complexity to the environment. This is especially true if tools within the suite are well-integrated to take advantage of their counterparts;
    • Assessment, review and continuous compliance: The organization should be in a continuous state of compliance. Assessments and reviews should be conducted regularly to test for potential gaps that may occur as the organization is rapidly transforming and address these gaps. The board should keep tab on not just compliance to industry regulations but also how the organization is progressing against security best practices; and
    • Leverage AI and automation to increase capabilities and capacity: With security capabilities in short supply, organizations need to look to automation and AI to improve the capabilities and capacity of their security operations. Current advancements in AI has shown a lot of promise, not just in raising detections that would otherwise be missed but also in reasoning over how the various data signals should be interpreted with recommended actions. Such systems have seen great success in cloud implementations where huge volumes of data can be processed rapidly. Ultimately, leveraging automation and AI can free up cybersecurity talents to focus on higher-level activities.

     

    Security experts discuss the economic impact of cybersecurity in the PH during Microsoft’s study launch. From L-R Hans Bayaborda, Managing Director

    For more information on the study, please visit:
    https://news.microsoft.com/apac/features/cybersecurity-in-asia/ ‎

    To better understand the cyberthreats happening globally and in Asia Pacific, please download the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report Volume 23 here: https://info.microsoft.com/ww-landing-Security-Intelligence-Report-Vol-23-Landing-Page-eBook.html

    About the “Understanding the Cybersecurity Threat Landscape in Asia Pacific: Securing the Modern Enterprise in a Digital World” Study

    This study involved a survey conducted with 1,300 respondents from 13 markets – Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

    All respondents are business and IT decision-makers involved in shaping their organizations’ cybersecurity strategies. 44% of them being business decision-makers, including CEOs, COOs and Directors, while 56% are IT decision-makers, including CIOs, CISO and IT Directors. 29% of participants are from mid-sized organizations (250 to 499 staff); and 71% are from large-sized organizations (more than 500 staff).

    About Microsoft

    Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

    For more information, please contact:

    Microsoft Philippines
    Yna Maclang
    Communications Lead
    v-marmac@microsoft.com

    M2.0 Communications
    Cathy Llanes
    Media Relations Manager
    +639175820573
    cathy.llanes@m2comms.com

  • Microsoft Build 2018 – The Forces that will Shape The Future

    Microsoft make big announcements on what’s next in AI, cloud computing, and machine learning.

    Build is Microsoft’s big annual developer conference where they share their vision for technology and seek to empower everyone to be more productive. First held in 2011, Microsoft Build is an event aimed towards enabling software engineers and web developers using Windows, Windows Phone, Microsoft Azure, and other Microsoft technologies.

    At Build 2018, Microsoft continues to pursue its mission to empower more people and organizations through the forces that will shape the future—particularly AI, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, and App Development.

    Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, opened the conference with a view on opportunity and responsibility. “When we talk about limitless opportunity, it’s about truly figuring out how to empower more people and more organizations. We have a real responsibility as we think about the impact of technology…to ensure that technology is reaching everyone.”

    Technology is weaved into every fabric of our modern lives while software is now also a major driver of economies. While personal computing continues to evolve, the cloud provides global infrastructure, scale and intelligence. Computing is everywhere and this is a huge opportunity for developers

    AI for Accessibility

    Microsoft continues to utilize technology to impact and improve the quality of human life. With AI, they are opening the door to a new wave of possibilities to break down barriers in communication and really impact the lives of people with disabilities.

    At Build 2018, Satya Nadella announced the company’s new initiative: AI for Accessibility. It is a $25 million, five-year program to encourage the development of AI technology aimed towards helping the disabled community. The program will provide grants and support to research organizations, NGOs, and developers as they set out to empower and enable the more than 1B people with disabilities around the world.

    Re-Inventing Meetings and Collaboration

    The conference was a showcase of several technologies that greatly improved the quality of human life. This included AI-powered productivity solutions for the workplace.

    Modern Meetings was Microsoft’s approach to the good old meeting. They showed developers how real-time AI services, Microsoft 365, and Cortana promote active collaboration in meetings. From real-time transcription to immediate data access in Power BI, integrated tools are bringing coworkers and content together in new ways.

    The meeting room used hardware that features a 360-degree camera and microphone array that can detect anyone in a meeting room, greet them, and transcribe what they say in any language. It’s also capable of real-time translation.

    It further uses AI to follow up on what meeting participants say in a meeting. So, if a participant says “I’ll call you tomorrow,” they’ll get a notification in Microsoft Teams. Modern Meetings promises to make meetings and conferences more manageable.

    And speaking of Microsoft Teams, improved collaboration tools for the platform were also announced. Companies can now bring a line of business apps into a dedicated section of the Store just for their organization.

    By bringing line of business apps to a hub of communication and collaboration, companies can reduce unnecessary friction that allows them to build upon the contributions of their colleagues.

    Project Kinect for Azure

    One of Microsoft’s major anouncements at Build 2018 was the move of Kinect to the cloud. Kinect may sound familiar for gamers as it was first used as a motion-and-voice control system for the Xbox 360 console.

    “Kinect, when we first launched it in 2010, was a speech-first, gaze-first, vision-first device. It was used in gaming, and then, later on, it came to the PC, and it was used in many applications: medical, industrial, robotics, education… We’ve been inspired by what developers have done, and since Kinect, we’ve made a tremendous amount of progress when it comes to some of the foundational technologies in HoloLens. So we’re taking those advances and packaging them up as Project Kinect for Azure,” said Satya Nadella.

    Project Kinect for Azure brings together important advances in AI-enabled edge devices with object sensing, skeletal tracking technology. And combined with a cloud platform, the possibilities are truly endless.

    About Microsoft

    Microsoft is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more
    Microsoft Philippines, the local subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation, has been constantly bringing innovation and making its technology available to Filipino businesses and individuals since 1995. As a committed and trusted partner in nation-building, Microsoft Philippines has made it its mission to fuel growth and healthy communities, as well as transform locally-based businesses and empower them to compete in the global economy.

    For more information, please contact:

    Microsoft Philippines
    Yna Maclang
    Communications Lead
    v-marmac@microsoft.com

     

    M2.0 Communications
    Cathy Llanes
    Media Relations Manager
    +639175820573
    cathy.llanes@m2comms.com

  • Slow Internet – When You Can’t Work And You Can’t Play

    Slow Internet – When You Can’t Work And You Can’t Play

    Everyone hates slow internet connection – it’s a pain to watch video-on-demand services, listen to music, download files from Dropbox, and chat on Messenger, Hangouts, and Skype. Add to that multiplayer and eSport games (on PC, mobile, and console) that require stable connection to be playable, and websites that take forever to load. SMEs, corporations, and those in the enterprise sector hate this even more: unreliable and slow internet connectivity leads to missed opportunities, takes a toll on revenue, and pulls down productivity.

    But there is an alternative to hate. No one loves traditional, costly DSL plans with poor customer service, inconsistent speeds, and data capping. That’s why Converge ICT is a welcome game-changer: it rose in mindshare, from last year’s barely-known, and became today’s serious option if you want internet connectivity. Converge ICT disrupts the ISP landscape by providing value-for-money, reliable, solid end to end pure fiber optic-based internet for home, office, SME, and enterprise needs.

    Consumers want value-for-money, fast internet connection

    The consumer landscape is changing: video-on-demand services are now widely used, multiplayer games (popularized by eSports) are gaining traction, video calls among family and friends are the new normal, and more freelancers and employees now require fast, reliable internet connectivity to be able to work at home. And then there are social media apps, which allow people to “share more” (message and call each other and comment on posts) are elbowing out text messaging.

    Converge ICT has the plans that fit your needs

    The Converge ICT high-speed plans like Fiber X 1500, with up to 25 Mbps connectivity (for more than 10 devices), or the Fiber X 2500 plan, with up to 50 Mbps (to connect more than 20 devices at home) guarantee exceptional internet connectivity. You binge watch on your favorite streaming services without lags that ruin the mood. And this comes with unlimited bandwidth or no data caps: browse, stream, upload, download, or game on as you like. This last feature is the definitive offer that made Converge ICT an industry disruption – enough that competitors offered their own “unli” offers but a high cost.

    Pure Fiber Optic-Based Internet for the needs of businesses

    Converge ITC’s mantra of “our customers deserve better” extends to what they can offer the enterprise sector. Expensive, lagging, unreliable, non-secure internet connectivity can be a barrier to do doing business. Converge has carefully crafted its pure fiber optic-based internet connectivity packages for the varying needs of businesses. The outcome, when you partner with Converge, is increased productivity, savings in time and money, and maximization of output.

    Converge Enterprise offers the following:

    • Direct Access Internet. This provides a premium and dedicated connection to the global public internet backbone delivered via multiple route and diverse fiber optic submarine cable. With this you can build your critical and real-time applications.
    • Multi-Protocol Label Switching allows you to combine video, data application and voice without the complexities with secure “one-to-many-point” network connection (whether to your branches, business partners or suppliers).
    • International Private Line is a cost-effective and secure point-to-point or point-to-multipoint connectivity solution.
    • Converge Colocation provides a reliable data center environment to store your data and applications. Runs on a resilient pure fiber network that ensures consistent and uninterrupted service, and guaranteed security.
    • Converge Fast is a robust connectivity solution wherein the delivery of private information over a shared network is secured, reactive, and adaptive.
    • Carrier Ethernet lets you easily connect with your satellite offices across the Metro in a cost-efficient intranet that supports all your bandwidth-consuming business applications.

    Converge Enterprise offers secure and dynamic pure fiber solutions for Enterprise needs. This is a clear opportunity to partner with the leader in ISP disruption and an emerging contender in the internet connectivity service sector.

    Remember, nothing should prevent you from enjoying and benefiting from what the hyper-connected, searchable, sharable, immersive internet can provide. Converge ICT is here for your needs – whether it’s for entertainment or for the enterprise.

    Find out more about Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. visit www.convergeict.com