NEWS
8 steps to secure industrial enterprises
5:20 p.m. June 10, 2025
Industrial sectors such as power and utilities, energy and chemicals, metals and mining and critical manufacturing are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats, in fact industrial enterprises experienced more incidents than any other, with a 25.7% share in 2024 according to the Kaspersky MDR team.
The importance of cyber resilience in these industries cannot be overstated, as cyberattacks can lead to operational disruptions, financial losses and compromised safety. Yet, according to the World Economic Forum only 19% of cyber leaders feel confident that their organizations are cyberresilient.
Those fears are rooted in the knowledge that threat levels are rising everywhere. Global analyst and advisory firm Omdia found that 80% of manufacturing firms experienced a notable increase in overall security incidents or breaches last year, but only 45% are adequately prepared in their cybersecurity.
Why cyber resilience matters
One of the most critical aspects of cyber resilience is maintaining business continuity. Cyberattacks have the potential to cripple operations, causing significant delays and financial setbacks. The effects of a cyberattack can be felt far and wide such as power outages, safety incidents and environmental emergencies. However, organizations that prioritize cyber resilience can quickly recover from incidents, minimizing downtime and ensuring essential functions remain operational. Proactive business continuity planning is key, as it enables companies to prepare for potential cyber threats and ensure that disruptions do not lead to prolonged or catastrophic consequences.
Another hugely important reason for greater cyber resilience is its role in protecting sensitive data and preserving an organization’s reputation. Industrial enterprises manage vast amounts of sensitive data, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. A successful attack can lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft and significant reputational damage. Additionally, many industries must comply with stringent data protection regulations, and so a comprehensive cyber resilience strategy helps organizations stay compliant and avoid costly legal consequences.
Industrial control systems are particularly vulnerable, as they form the backbone of essential industrial processes. Cyber resilience ensures these systems remain secure, reliable and functional even when faced with persistent threats. Additionally, as industrial enterprises increasingly integrate connected products and digital technologies, the need to protect these interconnected systems from cyberattacks becomes even more pressing.
Financial loss is arguably the greatest concern when it comes to cyber threats though. A single cyberattack can result in substantial financial repercussions, including direct losses from theft, recovery costs, regulatory fines and lost business opportunities. A well-structured cybersecurity strategy can lead to lower insurance premiums by demonstrating a proactive approach to cyber risk mitigation. Additionally, organizations that invest in cyber resilience are better equipped to optimize their operations, ensuring that productivity and efficiency are maintained even in the face of emerging cyber threats.
Kaspersky is on the front line, protecting more than 1,000 industrial customers and has extensive experience in helping industrial organizations in adopting international standards and best practices. Calling on this expertise, Kaspersky has defined the following eight strategic steps that apply universally to automation systems:
- Inventory: Asset Management
Begin by building or updating your asset inventory. Account for systems, software, hardware, network segments, conduits, communication paths and devices to understand what must be secured. If you can’t monitor a part of your infrastructure – or aren’t even aware it exists and could be attacked – you can’t protect it. This comprehensive inventory ensures all valuable assets are secured.
- Assess: Detailed Risk Assessment
Conduct a detailed risk assessment to understand the current risk level within your organization, considering potential threat vectors and existing or planned countermeasures. This assessment helps prioritize investments and prevent potentially catastrophic disruptions.
- Secure: Essential Security
Implement essential security measures, such as endpoint protection, to safeguard operations. This involves creating security baselines aimed at maintaining and protecting operational OT system integrity while detecting, blocking and remediating cyber threats.
- Detect: Threat and Anomaly Detection
Implement threat and anomaly detection to identify threats early and understand how attacks develop, enabling quick responses to avoid disruption and continually strengthen your security posture.
- Audit: Security Audits and Compliance
Conduct regular security audits and focus on compliance to build a realistic picture of your organizational cybersecurity. These systematic evaluations ensure alignment with criteria and benchmarks, improving adherence to best practices and resulting in robust systems.
- Enhance: Zones and Conduits
Enhance your network architecture by organizing and protecting it through zones and conduits. Zones group networks, devices and services based on function and criticality, while conduits represent communication paths that unite zones or connect them to external networks.
- Monitor: Mature Security Operations
Develop a mature Security Operations Center (SOC) with proactive and contextual analysis capabilities to manage complex attacks. Continually evolve your SOC capability with threat intelligence and incident response features to swiftly investigate, contain and mitigate threats.
- Prepare: Fault Tolerance and Readiness
Guarantee fault tolerance by stress-testing your infrastructure through exercises that simulate large-scale cyberattacks. This preparation ensures that your industrial control systems can withstand and recover from cyber incidents without compromising operational continuity. People are an organization’s greatest asset, but they also a point of potential vulnerability, employers should be trained on a regular basis.
NEWS
Rep. Atayde: No ghost projects in QC’s first district
3:30 p.m. October 27, 2025
Quezon City First District Representative Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde reiterated that there are no “ghost projects” in his district, following a personal inspection of seven flood control and drainage projects in his district.
“There are no ghost projects with us. There’s no ghost in District One. There’s no basis for claims that these exists. Maybe there’s just a need for proper coordination so information about the projects is accurate,” Atayde said after visiting sites in Barangay Bahay Toro, Del Monte, Project 6, and San Antonio.
Atayde’s visit confirmed findings from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Quezon City 1st District Engineering Office, which stated in a September 19 letter that “all projects are verifiable on site,” referring to the seven projects questioned due to alleged lack of coordinates.
According to the DPWH, out of 66 alleged ghost projects reported in the media, only seven were located in Atayde’s district, where all of them were found to be completed or ongoing, with proper documentation, correct coordinates, and photographic evidence.
Verified projects included four flood control structures along Culiat Creek and Dario Creek in Barangay Bahay Toro, rehabilitation of Drainage Road 3 in Project 6, the West Riverside Pumping Station in Barangay Del Monte, and a flood control structure along San Francisco River in Barangay San Antonio.
Atayde said five of the seven projects were completed, while two were suspended due to pending issues.
He also visited two additional flood control projects to assess their status – one completed along Dario Creek and one suspended along Mariblo Creek.
Atayde assured to his constituents that public funds were used properly and allegations of ghost projects are “baseless”.
“The projects are not ghosts – they can be seen, touched, and are beneficial. It looks like Halloween came early for some people,” Atayde said.
He also called on those who accused him of benefiting from these projects to verify their information first.
Atayde emphasized he couldn’t benefit from these DPWH projects as they’re already in the National Expenditure Program (NEP), and he couldn’t unilaterally include them in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) as he’s not a member of the bicameral conference committee.
“We all want to end corruption and jail the corrupt, but we won’t succeed if we punish the wrong people,” the lawmaker said.
He further reiterated the DPWH’s assertion that there are no ghost projects in Atayde’s district.
“The evidence speaks for itself, and the evidence speaks the truth,” Atayde said.
NEWS
COA uncovers more fraud in Bulacan flood control projects, files new reports with ICI
6:30 p.m. October 26, 2025
The Commission on Audit (COA) has submitted four additional Fraud Audit Reports to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), exposing further irregularities in flood control projects managed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office.
These reports detail cases of mismatched sites, ghost projects, and the use of substandard materials, leading to significant public funds being misspent.
SYMS Construction Trading
Balagtas River Project (P46.35 million): Despite full payment, no real construction was found at the approved site. DPWH representatives directed COA to a different location where a structure made of unsuitable materials and exposed steel bars was observed. DPWH’s own records showed 0.00% completion.
Maycapiz-Taliptip River Project (P92.59 million): This project was reported as 100% accomplished and fully paid, yet COA found no flood control structure during inspection, labeling it a “ghost project.”
L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc. and M3 Konstract Corporation (Joint Venture)
Barangay Piel, Baliuag Project (P96.50 million): Satellite imagery revealed an existing flood control structure at the approved site even before the contract began. DPWH pointed COA to an incorrect site, where an existing structure failed to meet project specifications.
DARCY & ANNA BUILDERS & TRADING
Barangay Carillo, Hagonoy Project (P74.11 million): Despite a supposed completion date of October 3, 2024, satellite images and COA’s inspection confirmed no structure was built at the approved site.
In all cases, DPWH-Bulacan 1st DEO failed to provide crucial supporting documents to COA, hindering validation of the projects.
Individuals Held Liable
Several individuals from DPWH-Bulacan 1st DEO have been identified as liable, including District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara, Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, and Planning and Design Section Chief Ernesto C. Galang, along with various project engineers and company representatives from the involved contractors.
Those implicated may face charges under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Revised Penal Code for malversation and falsification of documents, and violations of COA Circular No. 2009-001 and the Government Procurement Reform Act.
These audit findings will support the ICI’s ongoing investigation into government infrastructure project irregularities. COA Chairperson Cordoba’s directive on August 12, 2025, initiated an immediate audit of all DPWH flood control projects in Bulacan from July 1, 2022, to May 30, 2025. This new batch of reports contributes to the 25 Fraud Audit Reports already submitted to oversight bodies, reinforcing COA’s commitment to transparency and protecting public funds, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for accountability. Additional reports are expected as the audit continues.
NEWS
DITO delivers superior network performance, turning digital aspirations into possibilities
8:11 p.m. August 28, 2025
DITO Telecommunity showcased how superior connectivity transforms Filipino digital aspirations into achievable realities during the successful media launch of the telco’s latest campaign, Kaya DITO, held at Manila House, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Built on True 5G standalone technology and as validated by a global leader in mobile analytics and insights, Opensignal, as the Philippines’ Fastest Mobile Network, DITO’s ecosystem proves that the Filipino telecommunity’s demand for seamless network connectivity, value-driven services and unified digital experience aren’t distant possibilities, but today’s basic expectations—this challenges what the telco industry has long normalized.
“For too long, outages, dropped calls, and overpriced data have been treated as normal. Let us say it bluntly: It is not normal. Every Filipino has limitless potential when equipped with the right tools, and the game is now changing since DITO has joined the fray and taken up the cause to disrupt the status quo—to deliver inclusive, next-gen technology to the Filipino people. “Kaya DITO!” is our battle cry to symbolically break that cycle, because we truly believe that Filipinos deserve better,” shared by DITO Telecommunity President Eric Alberto in the event.
The Telco that Truly Takes Care of its Users
DITO’s prepaid solutions eliminate the frustration of wasted data through Level-Up Packs with ViLTE technology, making DITO the primary telco offering unlimited DITO-to-DITO HD video calls and unli mobile calls. Combined with Viber and Prime Video inclusions and flexible data packages with longer validity periods, users can now maximize their every peso without worrying about abruptly expiring data allocations.
The Telco that Offers Value-Packed Postpaid Plans
DITOFlexPlan 888 redefines what postpaid should offer—comprehensive inclusions and generous data at prices that make sense for Filipino budgets. Whether you choose SIM-only or device bundles, these plans prove that premium network performance doesn’t have to break the bank, empowering users to pursue their goals without connectivity compromises.
The Telco that Brings True 5G Home Internet Convenience
DITO WoWFi Pro 365 makes home connectivity effortless with a year-long unlimited connection that works when you need it. Families enjoy the convenience of reliable internet for work, study, and entertainment without the inconvenience of data top-ups and complicated installations; just network performance that simplifies your digital life at home. Just ask any of your relatives and friends who have already ditched ordinary WiFi and jumped onto WoWFi— they will tell you what you’ve been missing out on.
The Telco that Built Everything You Need in One App
The DITO App represents one of the industry’s most comprehensive digital platforms, built from the ground up to handle the entire customer journey. From SIM and load purchase to account management and a wide range of OTT apps, users enjoy complete digital control with custom special offers, DITO Rewards points, and 24/7 customer support—managing everything while earning exclusive benefits.
Rep. Atayde: No ghost projects in QC’s first district
COA uncovers more fraud in Bulacan flood control projects, files new reports with ICI
DigiPlus earns first ASEAN Golden Arrow Award for corporate governance excellence
