PLDT’s Chief Information Security Officer Angel T. Redoble bagged the Leadership Award at the inaugural CSO ASEAN Awards that lauded the top 30 cybersecurity executives in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. The PLDT Group’s top information security officer is also part of the region’s Top 5 cybersecurity leaders. 

Organized by CSO, the security and risk management information arm of Australia-based International Data Group (IDG), the CSO30 ASEAN Awards celebrates leading cybersecurity executives that have driven innovation, strengthened resiliency, and influenced changes across the industry. These mavericks have delivered security projects and initiatives that have changed the way the business is protected. 

“It’s a huge honor to receive the leadership award, and it’s also a big responsibility. I believe that the company’s shift to a culture that is mindful of online security has paved the way for the smooth implementation of cybersecurity processes and policies that not only protect our infrastructure but our customers, as well,” said Redoble. 

The Leadership Award is being handed to the chief information security officer who has collaborated and influenced the organization in beefing up its cybersecurity defenses.  

"We are proud of Angel's accomplishments in leading us to safely navigate the rapid shift to online brought about by the pandemic, not just in our organization but especially to our customers. His relentless pursuit of excellence in his work in cybersecurity inspires us all," said Alfredo S. Panlilio, President and CEO of PLDT and Smart. 

Under Redoble’s watch, the Group ramped up the fight against cyberthreats and invested close to Php 2 billion this year into its cybersecurity operations center to ward off online attacks, clamp down on phishing and scamming activities, as well as to battle online abuse and exploitation of children. 

Recently the Cybersecurity Operations Group has engaged the government and other stakeholders in the battle against SMS-initiated scams that are being likened to digital pyramid schemes. The Group’s threat intelligence, cybersecurity and cybercrime investigation units have engaged the fraudsters to dissect their operations and help customers identify red flags. In addition to intensifying information campaign against the modus, the Group has likewise blocked at least 15,000 mobile numbers being used by fraudsters in November alone. PLDT and Smart have also prevented more than 115,000 attempts to access websites linked to the modus.