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
BFAR cites success of annual fishing ban in increasing galunggong stocks
1:11 a.m. March 8, 2026
The annual closed fishing season for roundscad (galunggong) has been instrumental in ensuring sustainable yield and enhanced volume production, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said, citing the success of the science-based approach in Palawan.
BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig said this fishing cycle, which has been enforced for over 10 years, allows the galunggong to thrive in Palawan waters, ensuring ecological balance and economic success for the local fishing industry.
Galunggong is a dining staple among Filipino families, known to be relatively more affordable than other options. In Palawan, it sells for between P150 and P200 per kilo.
“The success of the annual roundscad fishing cycle in Palawan shows what we can do together through science and discipline. It proves that science-based conservation is not a hindrance to the fishing industry, but its greatest ally,” said Salilig.
The National Stock Assessment Program has confirmed the positive impact of the annual fishing hiatus, said Salilig.
The annual fishing ban contributed to improved volume of roundscad production at 3,363.75 MT in the third quarter of 2024, a sequential increase of 55.1 percent. It was the top contributor to the total commercial fisheries production in MIMAROPA, accounting for 27.1% of the total fish catch.
Enforcement of the fishing cycle has also led to a decrease in fishing mortality and the amount of immature galunggong in the catch. The roundscad also showed an increase in average length from 16.8 cm in 2015 to 17.6 cm in 2024, suggesting “improved growth and a healthier, more mature population.”
The closed season for commercial fishing of roundscad in Northern Palawan takes effect every November 1 to January 31 and is lifted between February 1 and October 31. This fishing cycle, implemented via a 2015 administrative order, covers the West Philippine Sea and the Northern Sulu Sea.
This policy leaves the galunggong breeding ground largely undisturbed during the closed season, protecting the species during its peak spawning period.
Salilig thanked the Palawan fishing community for continuing to comply with the annual fishing cycle.
“By respecting the natural spawning cycles of the galunggong, we are not just protecting an ecosystem; we are securing the food supply and the livelihoods of thousands of Filipino fishers for years to come,” he said. #
NEWS
Converge hosts Project PIGLET in Baclayan, donates learning tablets for Mangyan children
8:26 p.m. March 7, 2026
Leading fiber broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has come back to Brgy. Baclayan in Oriental Mindoro in celebration of Safer Internet Month, bringing its online safety campaign at the Baclayan Mangyan School, while strengthening the digital capabilities of its students.
Through its Corporate Governance and Data Privacy (CGDP) Group, Converge engaged pupils in Grades 5 and 6 in its Project PIGLET (Privacy Integration through Guided Learning of Emerging Technologies), a program that aims to enhance digital literacy and privacy awareness among school children.
Converge AVP and Head of Data Privacy and Information Security Compliance Team Eumir Paolo Espiritu highlighted that kids nowadays are more susceptible to cyber threats such as deception, fraud, identity theft, malware and computer viruses.
He noted that as early as possible, children should be educated on ways to protect themselves against these, which was why they launched Project PIGLET in 2024.
“Converge intends to visit different regions across the country to reach the unserved and underserved and increase the awareness of kids when it comes to data privacy and information security. At Converge, we leave no one behind, so this Safer Internet Month, we visited the indigenous children here in Mindoro to also promote the more responsible and positive use of digital technology,” he said.
Converge hosted a story telling session, and distributed school supplies and snacks to the kids.
The company also strengthened the school’s digital capabilities as it donated learning tablets and a smart TV at the Stairway Foundation ICT Learning Center, which has been supporting the students’ learning activities, through the help of Mindoro-based child-care organization Stairway Foundation.
“Dahil nga Mangyan school ang aming paaralan, kaunti ang access namin sa equipment kaya malaking tulong ang mga dagdag na kagamitan para sa pag-aaral ng mga bata. Mahalaga rin ang ganitong mga initiative para maging aware ang mga estudyante sa mga nangyayari sa kapaligiran at hindi lang sila gumagamit ng gadgets basta-basta,” said Baclayan Mangyan School Head Teacher III Noemi Bonquin.
The Baclayan Mangyan School provides education to nearly 250 pupils from the different Mangyan tribes in Puerto Galera.
Converge first engaged with the Mangyan community in Brgy. Baclayan in 2023, in collaboration with Stairway Foundation. The team up paved the way for the powering of free fiber internet by Converge at the said ICT learning center and its donation of learning tablets to support the students in honing their digital skills.
Moreover, the company has also worked with the nonprofit in its online safety advocacy in an effort to combat cyber threats, particularly online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).
NEWS
Maxim launches motorcycle taxi services in Iligan
7:11 p.m. March 6, 2026
Iligan City — Maxim Rides & Food Delivery is now authorized to operate motorcycle taxi services in Iligan, offering residents a convenient new way to get around the city.
With fares starting at Php 20, the service provides an affordable commuting option for daily travelers. The launch also creates new income opportunities for local driver-partners, enabling more residents to earn through a flexible platform.
Driver-partners operate from a commission scheme designed to be more favorable than many platforms in the market–helping them keep more of what they earn. Whether performing full-time or part-time, driver-partners can earn based on their availability and goals. All motorcycle taxi driver-partners undergo proper onboarding and an orientation on motorcycle taxi guidelines to ensure safety and service quality for every ride.
“Our goal in Iligan is to make daily travel easier for everyone while helping local residents earn extra income through flexible timetables,” said Myrrh Ornopia, Head of Maxim Iligan. “We want our service to benefit both riders and the community.”
Maxim continues to strengthen its motorcycle taxi operations in key cities, including Metro Manila, Batangas, and Cagayan de Oro. Through close coordination with local government units and transport authorities, the company remains committed to developing safe, reliable, and well-regulated motorcycle transportation services nationwide.
BFAR cites success of annual fishing ban in increasing galunggong stocks
Converge hosts Project PIGLET in Baclayan, donates learning tablets for Mangyan children
Maxim launches motorcycle taxi services in Iligan
