PT&T, Netlinkz building cybersecurity lab in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — PT&T Corp. and Australian technology company partner Netlinkz Ltd. will build a “multi-million dollar” software laboratory in Makati this year to develop cybersecurity solutions catering to both enterprises and government agencies.

James Velasquez, president and CEO of the local telco player, told reporters on Tuesday evening they were creating a product that would complement its connectivity services.

The solution is about “making sure our clients are able to sleep at night knowing their data is protected,” he stressed.

James Tsiolis, Netlinkz CEO, said they have the capability to “encrypt all data traffic” to fend off potential cyberattacks against their clients.

“We intend to localize the technology,” he said. ” It is not just about sales but also developing technology locally.”

Netlinkz has a cybersecurity software that provides real-time response against threat actors and network monitoring, among others.

Velasquez noted there’s a “big market” for cybersecurity solutions in the country amid the proliferation of digital threats.

17.7 million threats

According to a study by Kaspersky, about 17.7 million threat incidents occurred in the Philippines last year, affecting 36.8 percent of its users. A successful cyberattack can disrupt the operations of an enterprise, which can translate to potential financial losses.

Last year, PT&T and Netlinkz formed a joint venture to sell portable satellite dishes to provide internet access to remote areas where traditional fiber internet providers find it challenging to build infrastructure like cell towers.

The companies, in addition to satellite services, are offering a suite of information technology solutions for enterprises to improve operational efficiency.

This latest move by PT&T is in line with its recent initiatives to widen its presence in the market.

READ: PT&T eyes stock market return after two-decade suspension

The listed company, to recall, ramped up its capitalization by nearly P9 billion in 2023 to finance its expansion plans, which include rollout of fiber optic infrastructure.

PT&T is currently present in Metro Manila and the Southern Tagalog region, but it is also working on expanding to the north.