VSTECS, the Philippines’ premier ICT distributor, recently concluded the CXO Tech Summit 2024 at the Shangri-La Boracay. The event brought together over 500 participants, including industry leaders in information security, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

VSTECS president and CEO, Jimmy Go, a seasoned technology veteran, has been instrumental in shaping the Philippine distribution landscape. Go’s ability to unite leading brands, often direct competitors, into a cohesive solution set has been a key driver of VSTECS’ success.

Discussing the impact of AI on modern enterprises, Go emphasized the Philippines’ potential to catch up with more advanced markets like Singapore.

“The Philippines has about 5 percent of hyperscalers compared to Singapore and other companies, but I think we can catch up,” Go said. He added that AI is increasingly integrated into the offerings of top technology vendors.

Enar Marquez, HP Enterprise country manager for Hybrid and Customer Success, highlighted the importance of data organization as a foundation for effective AI implementation.

“From HP’s perspective, we see very targeted and prudent investment for AI in the Philippines, especially in enterprises,” Marquez said. “In terms of AI use cases, organizations are increasingly focusing on end-user-type investments to improve customer service.”

Fortinet Philippines, for its part, explained how AI is enhancing cybersecurity capabilities, enabling organizations to better respond to and protect themselves from threats.

Jobert David, Palo Alto Technology head, addressed the potential impact of AI on cybersecurity jobs. “It’s hard to get analysts as there is a shortage of skills,” David said.

“For example, in a SOC, there are 5 to 10 people managing thousands of alerts daily. AI can automate these repetitive tasks, allowing analysts to focus on higher-level threat hunting and other strategic activities.”

David also emphasized the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures in the age of AI. “As AI continues to evolve, so too will the tactics of cybercriminals,” he said. “We must practice AI versus AI; we have to be ready always.”